By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

Traffic news and notes from all over:

Several work projects on Likelike Highway this week could slow traffic at times, the state Department of Transportation says.

• One lane will be closed in the Hononulu-bound direction from the vicinity of Valley View Drive to the pedestrian overpass at Kula Kolea Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for construction of retaining walls.

• One lane will be closed in the Kane'ohe-bound direction from the vicinity of Nalanieha Street to Valley View Drive from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for slope stabilization work.

• One lane will be closed in both the Honolulu- and Kane'ohe-bound directions between the vicinity of Valley View Drive to Burmeister Overpass from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for median work.

• General Motors engineers are developing left-foot throttles and remote-control throttles for drivers who have had their right foot affected by a stroke.

• Toyota is studying whether swiveling front seats for driver and passenger — which sell in Japan for about $600 each — make sense for the U.S. market.

• Lexus and Porsche will offer adaptive headlights on some models. These headlights swivel in response to the steering wheel and light up peripheral objects — a critical feature for drivers with limited vision.

• Ford has developed technology that would allow a buyer to change the backdrop of vehicle gauges — in colors ranging from bright orange to blue or white — for better visibility.

• Heated seats, good for drivers with bad backs and arthritis, are now being offered in some vehicles. Acting like a big heating pad, it can ease pain and stiffness.

General Motors plans to offer a full line of gas-electric hybrid vehicles, from sedans to pickups to small and large SUVs — greatly expanding the choices beyond today's compacts from Toyota and Honda.

The first ones, hybrid versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups with 15 percent to 20 percent better fuel economy, will be available to fleet customers this year, and to regular buyers in 2004. GM says it will be able to sell up to 1 million hybrids by 2007.

Toyota also expects to expand its hybrid offerings beyond the Prius. It will offer hybrid technology in its Highlander and Lexus RX 330 SUVs by 2005. Some analysts think the best-selling Camry will get it, too.

Ford has previously announced that it'll make a hybrid version of its Escape sport-utility in 2004. And DaimlerChrysler says it'll make a hybrid truck this year.

Federal officials are warning drivers to watch out for problems with child seats equipped with recessed buckles built into the seat between the child's legs.

Buckles in these seats can easily collect particles of food, drink, dirt, sand or other material that may interfere with the buckle or cause a "false latch," in which the user mistakenly believes that the buckle is securely latched, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Mike Leidemann's Drive Time column runs Tuesdays. Reach him at 525-5460 or mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.