Lesson
Implement a communication structure across jurisdictions that facilitates the flow of traffic data and allows agencies to coordinate traffic signal timing.
Phoenix and Seattle’s experiences with coordinating traffic signal timing across jurisdictional boundaries.
10/1/2000
Phoenix,Arizona,United States; Seattle,Washington,United States
Background (Show)
Lesson Learned
Develop a cross-jurisdictional communications infrastructure that allows jurisdictions to share real-time traffic operations information and update signal plans. The idea of a multi-jurisdictional system allows regional goals to be initiated and achieved.
Signal coordination requires careful planning for maximum efficiency. In the Scottsdale/Tempe area, the boundary for coordination previously existed at a jurisdictional separation. Moving this coordination boundary to a more functional boundary (Loop 202) has provided a seamless commute from one jurisdiction to the next. A functional boundary is an area at which traffic signal coordination is less of an issue. For the Phoenix area, regional traffic signal coordination has been achieved through careful planning and increased coordination efforts.
Local participants predict that careful coordination and cooperation will have a long-range impact on traffic operations in the East Valley, and that maintaining and updating coordination and communication efforts will provide increased benefits in the future. Ideas such as this can provide municipalities with the framework needed to deploy similar Smart Corridor systems.
Benefits similar to those witnessed in Phoenix (reductions in traveler delays, decrease in crash risk) were observed in a traffic signal modeling effort in Seattle.
Signal coordination requires careful planning for maximum efficiency. In the Scottsdale/Tempe area, the boundary for coordination previously existed at a jurisdictional separation. Moving this coordination boundary to a more functional boundary (Loop 202) has provided a seamless commute from one jurisdiction to the next. A functional boundary is an area at which traffic signal coordination is less of an issue. For the Phoenix area, regional traffic signal coordination has been achieved through careful planning and increased coordination efforts.
Local participants predict that careful coordination and cooperation will have a long-range impact on traffic operations in the East Valley, and that maintaining and updating coordination and communication efforts will provide increased benefits in the future. Ideas such as this can provide municipalities with the framework needed to deploy similar Smart Corridor systems.
Benefits similar to those witnessed in Phoenix (reductions in traveler delays, decrease in crash risk) were observed in a traffic signal modeling effort in Seattle.
Lesson Categories
Technical Integration > Functional
Technical Integration > Jurisdictional
States
Countries
Systems Engineering
Show the V
None defined
Keywords
coordinated signals, signal coordination, centralized signal control, signal synchronization, traffic signals, advanced signal control, signal timing optimization, coordinated signal control, advanced signal controller, traffic signal retiming, retiming
Lesson ID: 2005-00048
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