ASK MS. TRAFFIC : N. HOLLYWOOD CORNER DOESN'T MEET SIGNAL REQUIREMENTS.

Magnolia Boulevard between Cahuenga Boulevard and Vineland Avenue in North Hollywood could certainly give the Indianapolis 500 a run for its money these days.

Especially in the morning and evening peak hours, motorists can be found racing along the street. Turning left onto Magnolia from any of the smaller side streets such as Satsuma Avenue is next to impossible.

The only safe way to make a left turn from a side street is to turn from a street that has a traffic signal.

Perhaps the installation of a traffic signal at Satsuma would reduce the standard motorist speed and give those of us in the neighborhood another street to turn onto Magnolia from.

- T.F., North Hollywood

A comprehensive traffic engineering study of the Magnolia and Satsuma intersection was conducted in order to determine the need for a signal, said Irwin Chodash, the East Valley Department of Transportation traffic engineer.

Traffic volume counts, analysis of Police Department records of reported accidents and field observations do not support the criteria needed for signal installation, Chodash said.

He said traffic signals are installed for the purpose of assigning right of way to vehicular and pedestrian traffic at locations with relatively large volumes of conflicting traffic.

Signal installation also is warranted where a need for more restrictive control of right of way assignment has been demonstrated, he said.

A large puddle of water can be found year-round in front of a driveway in the 5300 block of Newcastle Avenue in Encino.

I'm not sure if a nearby water hydrant is causing the problem, but I would be grateful if you could find out what the problem is and have the appropriate city agency correct it.

- I.D., Encino

Your inquiry resulted in an inspection and asphalt repairs at the location, said Richard Evans, the West Valley street maintenance superintendent.

Findings revealed that a portion of the gutter had sunk and curbside water was collecting there, Evans said.

Street maintenance workers made asphalt repairs and also notified Department of Water and Power representatives about the possibility of the leaking fire hydrant.

Pedestrians aren't getting sufficient green signal time to safely cross Topanga Canyon Boulevard at Burbank Boulevard in Woodland Hills.

This intersection is probably one of the busiest in the Valley with heavy traffic in all directions and many an impatient motorist who's ready to fly as soon as the signal turns green.

I live in a nearby senior citizen home and rely on this intersection to go about my daily business or would otherwise use another less traveled route to feel safer.

Can more green time be given to pedestrians so we can make it through the intersection without fearing for our lives?

- H.D., Woodland Hills

Pedestrians must press the push button in order for the signal to allot sufficient to cross the street, said Brian Gallagher, the signal timing traffic engineer for the city of Los Angeles.

Gallagher said that according to Vehicle Code 21456, pedestrians are supposed to cross a street only when the pedestrian signal that shows a white walking person symbol or the ``Walk'' sign turns on.

The green ball - which provides only about five seconds to make it across the street - is for motorists only.

Pedestrians who are in the intersection when the ``Don't Walk'' signal begins flashing have sufficient time to cross the street, Gallagher said.

A study conducted by the department determined the walking rate used to set the pedestrian signal timing was more than reasonable, Gallagher said.