Commander offers gate traffic solutions

  • Published
  • By Col. David Buck
  • 30th Space Wing commander
We've received numerous inquiries and suggestions for improving the morning traffic congestion at our installation gates. I'd like to take some time to clarify some of the issues and discuss how we'll solve the problem. 

Our base is experiencing a significant surge in construction and demolition projects. From new base housing to large-scale projects on North Base, the number of construction vehicles entering our base has dramatically increased. This surge will continue for the foreseeable future. In addition, our contract guard force has significantly enhanced their commercial vehicle search procedures. This combination of events is a large part of the "why" regarding increased wait times at our gates. A multi-faceted approach, using short- and long-term vision, is the best solution to the problem. 

Several suggestions for dealing with the traffic have reached my office. I've heard many remedies, from re-routing truck traffic to the Solvang Gate, to adding more gate personnel. Unfortunately, this issue is complex. The Lompoc Gate is designated as our commercial entry point and search area. Not only is the Solvang Gate not physically large enough to accommodate numerous large trucks, but the adjacent Highway 246 is off-limits to any rigs carrying hazardous material. Lompoc Gate was designed with commercial traffic in mind. It is, and will remain, our commercial gate. 

Adding personnel to check credentials is another common suggestion. Due to service contract reduction requirements we are unable to hire additional contract guards. Asking our security forces to provide extra personnel is also not possible due to their large home-station and worldwide deployment commitments. We currently augment the contract guards with between six and eight 30th Space Wing personnel each duty day in order to speed up the process. Numerous studies indicate using more personnel would not improve the situation. With a finite number of lanes, we can only employ about two personnel per lane and remain effective. If we add personnel for the sake of a perceived solution, the law of diminishing returns quickly comes into play. 

On a positive note, the civil engineers, security forces and anti-terrorism office have been busy working on the future of our installation entry points. Short-term solutions such as retractable bollard systems are on the list of improvements. These devices will replace the large, immovable concrete barriers and will enable rapid reconfiguring of in- and outbound traffic lanes. In addition, we're drafting plans to shift traffic lanes in order to better accommodate heavy inbound traffic flow. Finally, long-term plans are in the works to totally revamp the Lompoc Gate, providing ample space for both passenger and commercial vehicle traffic. None of these solutions will happen tomorrow, however. It's therefore imperative we tackle today's issues as a team. 

It's up to each and every member of Team V to assist with the traffic problems. We need only look at other bases across the Air Force to understand we're not alone. Ask anyone who drives onto Lackland AFB, Texas, and they'll tell you their traffic is routinely backed up all the way to Interstate 410 and U.S. Highway 90 every single workday. At MacDill AFB, Fla., they have an extremely modern six-lane entry control point, but it doesn't prevent significant traffic from backing up a quarter mile to the north on Dale Mabry Boulevard. The same can be said for most of our major installations in this post 9/11 world. With increased security requirements comes some inconvenience. Anyone who flies commercially sees this principle at work on a micro-scale courtesy of the Transportation Security Administration and their infamous airport security lines. The first step in combating this issue is accepting our realities--construction traffic is way up and security measures must be commensurate. Until the programmed gate upgrades occur, there are immediate steps we can take to mitigate traffic backups. 

Perhaps the greatest aid in expediting traffic onto the base is avoiding the Lompoc Gate during the peak hours of 6 to 9 a.m. Since this is our designated commercial vehicle gate, entering this gate with a personal vehicle is done at the driver's likely inconvenience. Diverting to the Santa Maria, Utah or even Solvang Gate will add only minutes to the average commute while keeping our commercial vehicles rolling. In addition, affected personnel may request, through their chain of command, adjusted reporting times. The difference in traffic volume between 7 to 7:30 a.m. is significant. Reporting for duty a little earlier, or a bit later, could make a large impact in traffic jams. With thousands of personnel simultaneously trying to get to work by 8 a.m., we see and experience the proverbial "sand through the hourglass" effect every duty day. Finally, with so many of us looking for ways to save a dollar or two, I ask you at least consider a carpool. A reduction in the number of vehicles entering the base is one of the most direct paths to improving the situation. 

The gate situation as it stands today is the mark of a vibrant and growing installation. With growth come the inevitable growing pains. Our plans will address and eventually correct the situation, but improvements won't happen overnight. We ask all of Team V for assistance in this matter. Understanding the root of the issue is the first step; teamwork and a bit of sacrifice is the second. Like other problems that confront us every day, teamwork and sacrifice is the essence of what being a good Wingman is all about.