Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Los Angeles

Streetfilms: Behind the Scenes at LA Traffic Control

I have to admit: The thought of filming a control room designed to move vehicles more efficiently didn't excite me at
first. But once I met Senior Transportation Engineer Bill Shao and the
friendly staff at Los Angeles' Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control (ATSAC), I was full of curiosity.

Developed to help direct traffic during the 1984 Olympics, ATSAC has grown to monitor and control over 3,000 of
L.A.'s 4,100 signalized intersections, some of them incredibly complex.
ATSAC is one of the only such systems in the country that is publicly
owned, and the technology is so advanced that even on its busiest days the control
room only requires a few people to run it.

I'm told there are regular group tours of the facility. Next time you visit LA I recommend checking it out.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Trump’s Funding Freeze Has Derailed Transit, Undermining Growth and Economic Opportunity For All Americans: Report

American cities used to have some of the longest per-capita rail networks in the world. Not anymore.

March 11, 2026

New MTA Accessibility Advisory Panel Guidelines Bar Members from ADA Lawsuits

Disability justice advocates the Advisory Committee for Transit Accessibility accused the MTA of marginalizing the panel, which ex-transit boss Andy Byford created in 2019.

March 11, 2026

UPDATE: State Lawmakers Cut Hochul’s Car Insurance Scheme From Their Budget

The Uber-backed plan to lower car insurance rates has drawn criticism from legal professionals, crash victim advocates and state pols who say the legislative changes would strip crash victims of rights.

March 10, 2026

Mamdani’s 14th Street Redesign: The Perfect Opportunity For BRT-Style Bus Stations

A "once-in-a-generation upgrade" to 14th Street offers Mayor Mamdani a chance to make New York City's streets "the envy of the world."

March 10, 2026

The Speeding Situation in New York City Is Even Worse Than It Seems

Speed cameras can’t ticket vehicles with ghost plates — which means we don't know how often their drivers break the law.

March 10, 2026
See all posts