Knowledge Resources

In March 2000, the City of Fort Collins, Colorado replaced their antiquated traffic control system with an Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS). Major components of the ATMS included the installation of a fiber optic communications network, wireless communications on specific links, a new traffic signal control system, a Transportation Management Center, and new traffic signal controllers and cabinets. The traffic signal control system will provide traffic responsive capabilities, and future functionality will include transit signal priority. The project was completed in December 2004. As part of the regional architecture, Fort Collins will be sharing data and services with other agencies including police, fire, and transit.

Initial traffic signal timing was implemented during the installation process and in 2005, the principal retiming work started to further improve travel time conditions. In addition to measuring travel time, other measures calculated include fuel consumption, number of stops, air quality, queue lengths, and average speeds.

Results

• Shields Street travel times were reduced 2 to 17 percent northbound and 7 to 18 percent southbound.
• College Avenue travel times were reduced 20 to 36 percent northbound and 16 to 31 percent southbound.
• Mulberry Street travel times were reduced 11 to 13 percent eastbound and up to 11 percent westbound.
• Harmony Road travel times were reduced up to 19 percent eastbound and up to 4 percent westbound.