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Traffic
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Traffic signal control
is a system for synchronizing the timing of any number of traffic
signals in an area, with the aim of reducing stops and overall
vehicle delay or maximizing throughput. Traffic signal control
varies in complexity, from simple systems that use historical
data to set fixed timing plans, to adaptive signal control,
which optimizes timing plans for a network of signals according
to traffic conditions in real-time.
As
population continues to grow, the demand on our existing transportation
system will become increasingly hard to meet. Roads and highways
are unlikely to expand much due to cost and dwindling land supply,
so intelligent systems such as advanced traffic signal control
will be critical to operating our current roadway systems at
maximum capacity. Furthermore, poorly timed signals can
waste time, fuel, and money. In a street network with poorly
timed traffic signals, the fuel consumed by vehicles stopping
and idling accounts for approximately 40% of network wide vehicular
fuel consumption [8].
Traffic signal improvements
generally provide the greatest payoff for reducing surface street
congestion when compared with other methods, such as widening
roads [12]. Advanced traffic signal control can help ease congestion
and its negative externalities without the cost and environmental
impact of road expansion.
Traffic signal operation
can be described in terms of cycle length, signal phases, and
offsets. A traffic signals phasing plan defines
how the signal operates. Phasing plans can be simple, two-phase
plans (one phase per approach) or can be tailored to allow protected/permitted
movements and lead/lag phases. An intersection with heavy left
turning traffic and heavy opposing through movements would probably
include a protected left turn phase either before the opposing
traffic is released (lead phase) or after the opposing traffic
is stopped (lag phase). The cycle length is the total time required
for a complete sequence of signal phases and is typically between
60 to 120 seconds for a four-legged intersection. The offset
between successive traffic signals is the time difference between
the start of the green phase at an upstream intersection as
related to the start of the green phase at an adjacent downstream
intersection. See our Telecommunications Diagrams on Adaptive
Signal Control and Fixed
Signal Control for more information.
Traffic signals may
operate independently, or as a system. The scope of control
can be grouped in 3 categories:
ˇ
Individual Intersection
Control A single traffic signal operates in a pre-timed,
actuated, or traffic responsive mode, without affecting the
operation of other traffic signals.
ˇ
Arterial Control
Two or more traffic signals operate synchronously
along an arterial street in a pre-timed progression, traffic
responsive, or adaptive control mode.
ˇ
Network Control
Traffic Signals throughout an entire network of intersections
are coordinated through a timing plan created offline, or an
adaptive control strategy.
There are many different
levels of traffic signal control, from the individual intersection
with pre-timed control to the network-wide system with adaptive
control. Here are descriptions of the different modes of operation,
from the simplest to the most complex:
1.
Pre-timed- Under pre-timed operation, the
master controller sets signal phases and the cycle length based
on predetermined rates. These rates are determined from historical
data. Pre-timed signal control is appropriate for areas
where traffic demand is very predictable.
2. Progression Schemes - A progression scheme is a
simple way of coordinating signals along an arterial, which
is common in many urban areas. The signals can be set manually
to run in a constant, synchronous manner. There are 3 different
types of progression schemes:
Simultaneous - Under
simultaneous progression, all signals along the route operate
with the same cycle length and display green at the same
time. All traffic moves at once and a short time later
all traffic stops at the nearest intersection to allow cross
street traffic to move. This type of progression is
typically used in downtown areas where intersections are close
together, 300 to 500 ft, and uniformly spaced.
Alternate - For alternate progression,
there is a common cycle length, however each successive signal
or group of signals shows opposite indications. This
type of progression is associated with uniform spacing of
intersections. Ideal spacing is in the range of 1000
to 2,000 feet.
Limited or simple - Limited/simple
progression schemes employ a common cycle length, though the
relationship of the indications between intersections vary
because spacing between intersections is not uniform, and
therefore offsets at each intersection differ. This
type of progression scheme is typically used where traffic
flow is uniform throughout the day.
Flexible - Flexible progression schemes
are identical to simple progression schemes, except that the
common cycle length can be changed to reflect changing traffic
patterns. Similar to limited or simple progression schemes,
flexible progression schemes use different offsets between
intersections.
3. Actuated - An actuated controller
operates based on traffic demands as registered by the actuation
of vehicle and/or pedestrian detectors. There are several
types of actuated controllers, but their main feature is the
ability to adjust the signals pre-timed phase lengths
in response to traffic flow. If there are no vehicles
detected on an approach, the controller can skip that phase.
The green time for each approach is a function of the traffic
flow, and can be varied between minimum and maximum lengths
depending on flows. Cycle lengths and phases are adjusted at
intervals set by vehicle actuation of pavement loops.
ˇ
Semi-Actuated Control-
A semi-actuated controller provides for traffic actuation
of all phases except the main phase. A continuous green
is maintained on the major street except when a demand is
registered by the minor street detector. The right of
way always returns to the major street when no vehicles are
present on the minor street or a timing limit has been reached.
Semi-actuated operation is best suited for locations with
low volume minor street traffic. It may also be used
to permit pedestrian crossings at mid street.
ˇ
Full Actuated Control-
Under full actuated control, the function of the controller
is to measure traffic flow on all approaches to an intersection
and make assignments of the right of way in accordance with
traffic demand. Full actuated control requires placement
of detectors on all approaches to the intersection.
The controllers ability to respond to traffic flow provides
for maximum efficiency at individual locations. This type
of control is appropriate for intersections where the demand
proportions from each leg of the intersection are less predictable.
4. Traffic Responsive
- In traffic responsive mode, signals receive inputs that
reflect current traffic conditions, and use this data to choose
an appropriate timing plan from a library of different plans.
An individual signal or a network of several signals may be
traffic responsive. Capabilities include:
ˇ
Vehicle Actuated -
uses data from presence detectors and modifies the phase splits
based on vehicle actuation and gaps. This procedure
addresses current traffic and does not require traffic projections.
ˇ
Future traffic prediction
- control system uses the volume data from system detectors
and projects future conditions.
ˇ
Pattern Matching -
the volume and occupancy data from system detectors are smoothed
and weighted and compared with profiles in memory. This
enables identification of the stored profile most closely
matching the existing traffic conditions. When a pattern
is identified, appropriate parameters are placed into operation.
5. Adaptive Control Strategies (ACS) - these
systems are currently the most advanced and complex control
systems available. They are similar to traffic responsive signals
in that they receive real-time data through detectors, but instead
of matching current conditions to an existing timing plan, the
system uses an online computer to create an optimal timing plan.
No library of timing plans is needed, which works well for areas
with high rates of growth, where libraries of timing plans would
need to be updated frequently.
As computer technology
has improved, computer models have replaced manual setting and
optimization of signal timing plans. These powerful models
use historical data and computer simulation to create an optimal
signal timing plan that either maximizes bandwidth or minimizes
total delay. The basic ingredients of these models include
(a) a traffic flow model, and (b) an algorithm for optimizing
a specified performance criterion. The following are examples
of signal timing optimization programs that are available either
in the public domain, or from private companies [3, 4]:
ˇ
Urban Traffic Control
Systems (UTCS)-UTCS is a centralized traffic control
system that controls all intersections in a system with fixed
or variable timing plans. UTCS was developed by the Federal
Highway Administration in the 1970's as part of a research project
that sought to develop and test a variety of advanced network
control concepts and strategies. Historical data based on time
of day and day of week are often the basis of the plan.
Some UTCS provide critical intersection control (CIC), a feature
that allows vehicle actuated adjustments of green time splits
at selected signals. The control strategies in the UTCS project
are categorized into three generations; the first generation
is an offline optimization tool, described below, and the other
generations are online tools, which will be discussed in the
next section.
First Generation Control (1-GC) - 1-GC
control uses pre stored signal timing plans that are calculated
off-line based on historic traffic data. The timing
plan can be selected on the basis of time of day, by direct
operator selection, or by matching from an existing library
a plan best suited to recently measured traffic conditions
in traffic responsive mode. Under traffic responsive
mode, the software updates the plan every 15 minutes with
a smooth transition between regimes. 1-GC has the CIC feature
described above.
ˇ
SOAP - SOAP provides
a macroscopic analysis with the primary objective of developing
signal control plans for individual intersections. It
develops cycle lengths and splits that minimize a performance
index. Inputs include traffic flows, truck and bus composition,
left turn data, saturation flow, and signal data. Outputs
include delay, percent saturation, queues, excess fuel consumption,
left turn conflicts, and percent stops.
ˇ
Traffic Network Study
Tool (TRANSYT) -TRANSYT
is one of the most widely used signal timing programs. The original
version of TRANSYT was developed by the Transportation and Road
Research Laboratory in England in 1968. Though TRANSYT
is most commonly used as an offline optimization tool, it may
also be used in an online fashion to compute signal settings
every few minutes and download these settings to the field.
TRANSYT is a macroscopic, deterministic simulation and optimization
model. The model requires the link flows and link turning
proportions as inputs and assumes them to be constant for the
entire simulation period. The program optimizes splits
and offsets given a set cycle length and carries out a series
of iterations between its traffic simulation module and the
signal setting optimization module.
A version tailored specifically
for the United States was created, entitled TRANSYT-7F. The
TRANSYT-7F program is capable of evaluating a coordinated network
or arterial of up to 50 intersections with up to 250 directional
links.
ˇ
MAXBAND - MAXBAND
is a bandwidth optimization program that calculates signal timing
plans on arterials and triangular networks. MAXBAND produces
cycle lengths, offsets, speeds, and phased sequences to maximize
a weighted sum of bandwidths. The primary advantage of
MAXBAND is the freedom to provide a range for the cycle time
and speed. The lack of incorporated bus flows and limited
field tests are disadvantages of MAXBAND.
ˇ
PASSER II-80 - PASSER
II-80 is a bandwidth optimization program that calculates signal
timing plans on linear arterials. A modified version of
Webster's delay equation is used to approximate platoon effects.
Outputs include cycle length, phase sequencing, splits, offsets,
and band speed that maximize bandwidth in both directions.
Advantages are flexibility to vary cycle length and bandwidth
and consideration of multiphase operation under a variety of
timing strategies. Disadvantages include lack of emissions
or fuel consumption data.
ˇ
PASSER III - PASSER
III computes cycle length, phase sequencing, and splits that
minimize average delay per vehicle for a pre-timed interchange.
PASSER III uses a deterministic, macroscopic time-scan optimization
model. It can also determine splits and offsets for interchange
signals along a frontage road, but in this case bandwidth is
the performance objective.
ˇ
SIGOP - By using a
macroscopic traffic flow model, SIGOP determines cycle length,
splits, and offsets of signals in a grid network that minimize
delay. SIGOP can handle up to 150 intersections.
Outputs include time-space plots along selected arterials and
link statistics. Up to four phases can be modeled in SIGOP.
ˇ
MOTION- MOTION
(Method for the Optimization of Traffic Signals in Online controlled
Networks) is a prototype system for the automatic control of
traffic lights under the global goal of optimized flow conditions
and waiting times in a network. The first field implementation
took place in Cologne, Germany in 1995 and its basic methodology
was developed in the ATT/DRIVE II project. The basic idea
is to combine the advantages of well-designed 'Green Waves'
for major traffic streams in a network with the flexibility
of an immediate response of local signals to the actual state
of traffic. MOTION determines a network cycle time, mainly according
to the traffic volumes at critical intersections. Based
on the current average turning movements at intersections, a
number of alternative basic signal programs are then calculated.
In the second step the O-D pattern and corresponding traffic
streams through the network are determined. They create,
with external preconditions, the network optimization plan.
Another feature of the system is that it gives special priority
to public transportation vehicles.
As opposed to the models
outlined above, which use historical data to create one or more
optimized timing plans, adaptive control strategies use real
time data from detectors to perform constant optimizations on
the signal timing plan for an arterial or a network. This means
that signals can adapt to non-recurring congestion, incidents,
events, or traffic demand growth over time, without needing
to be reset.
ˇ
UTCS Control Strategies
As mentioned above, the second and third generation
control strategies developed by the FHWA are adaptive control
strategies:
Second Generation Control (2-GC)
- 2-GC control uses an online strategy that implements
signal timing plans based on real time surveillance data and
predicted values. The optimization process can be repeated
every five minutes. However, to avoid transition disturbances,
new timing plans cannot be implemented more than once every
10 minutes. The software also contains a traffic prediction
model, CIC, and a transition model to minimize transition
time between two plans.
Third Generation Control (3-GC)
Similar to 2-GC, 3-GC is a fully responsive, online traffic
control system. Similar to 2-GC, it computes control
plans to minimize a network wide objective using predicted
traffic conditions. It differs from the 2-GC model in
that the period after which timing plans are revised is shortened
to 3 to 5 minutes, and the cycle lengths are allowed to vary
among the signals during the control period.
Table 1 Comparison
of UTCS Control Strategies
|
FEATURE
|
First Generation
Control (1-GC)
|
Second Generation
Control (2-GC)
|
Third Generation
control (3-GC)
|
|
Update interval
|
15 min
|
5-10 min
|
3-5 min
|
|
Control plan
generation
|
Off line optimization
selection from a library by time of day, traffic responsive,
or manual mode.
|
Online optimization
|
Online optimization
|
|
Traffic prediction
|
None
|
Historically based
|
Smoothed current
values
|
|
Cycle length
determination
|
Fixed within each
section
|
Fixed within variable
groups of intersections
|
Variable in time
and space. Predetermined for control period.
|
Source: Gartner,
Nathan, Chronis Stamatindius, and Phillip Tarnoff. Development
of Advanced Traffic Signal Control Strategies for ITS. Transportation
Research Record 1494, 1996.
ˇ
Distributed Intelligence
Traffic Control System (DITCS) - DITCS is a control
system in which intersection controllers use timing plans but
can dynamically adjust the splits to suit traffic conditions
at the controller level. DITCS are closed loop systems
providing real-time traffic adaptive control. The central system
sends synchronization pulses, but most functions are performed
at the intersection level maximizing the use of computing power.
Some well known DITCS are Sydney Coordinated Traffic Adaptive
System (SCATS) and TracoNet, described below:
ˇ
SCATS - Developed
by the New South Wales Department of Main Roads, SCATS is a
dynamic control system with a decentralized architecture.
SCATS updates intersection cycle length using the detectors
at the stop line. SCATS allows for phase skipping. Offsets
between adjacent intersections are predetermined and adjusted
with the cycle time and progression speed factors.
ˇ
TracoNet- TracoNet
is a distributed intelligence closed loop network control system
used for coordinating, controlling and facilitating the flow
of vehicular traffic. It can operate in all control modes,
including fully
actuated. Traffic responsive algorithms based on pattern
matching are also available.
ˇ
Split Cycle and Offset
Optimization Technique (SCOOT)- SCOOT is an off-the-shelf
centralized computerized traffic control model developed at
the Transportation Road Research Laboratory in the U.K.
It is an enhancement over first generation UTCS systems and
provides real-time adaptive control. SCOOT uses system
detectors to measure traffic flow profiles in real time, and
along with predetermined travel times and the degree of saturation
(the ratio of flow-to-capacity), predicts queues at intersections.
Adjustments of cycle length, phase splits and offsets are made
in small steps to operate at a preset degree of saturation (usually
90%). Tests have shown that SCOOT is most effective when
demand approaches, but is less than, capacity, where demand
is unpredictable, and when distances between intersections are
short. Traffic control systems using SCOOT are prevalent
in Australia, Asia, and recently in North America. The
three key principles of the SCOOT system that make it different
from the TRANSYT model are:
ˇ
it measures the cyclic
flow profile in real time as opposed to deriving it from upstream
turning movements
ˇ
it updates an online model
of queues continuously as opposed to only updating once
ˇ
it makes incremental as
opposed to global optimizations to the signal settings
-
The SCOOT and SCATS traffic models are built
on a vertical queue model and thus can not consider the effect
of downstream link congestion on the signal output.
These models operate fairly well as long as the network is
not overly congested. However, they fail to model the
effect of downstream congestion on the capacity of upstream
intersections during queue spillback. The queuing model
is updated from queue measurements from the field.
ˇ
Real-time Traffic Adaptive Signal
Control System (RT-TRACS) - In 1991 the FHWA solicited proposals
for the development of a real-time, traffic adaptive signal
control system called RT-TRACS. Shortly thereafter, the
FHWA contracted with PB Farradyne to develop and implement RT-TRACS.
The RT-TRACS control logic assesses the current status of the
network with forecasting capabilities, allowing proactive, not
reactive, response. The most fundamental requirement of
this system is to effectively manage and respond to rapid variations
in traffic conditions. RT-TRACS consists of a number of
real-time control prototypes that each function optimally under
different traffic and geometric conditions. When conditions
dictate, RT-TRACS can automatically switch to another strategy.
The FHWA realizes that this control logic must be integrated
with freeway performance data and provide network wide control.
A thorough understanding of past experience with advanced traffic
signal control strategies is critical to the development of
effective RT-TRACS strategies for ITS. Features of the RT-TRACS
design include:
ˇ
both distributed and centralized
traffic control;
ˇ
dynamic priority control
on selected routes;
ˇ
capability to interact with
dynamic traffic assignment to implement proactive control;
ˇ
improved fallback capabilities
in case of surveillance system failure;
ˇ
effective use of the accumulated
experience with real-time control.
Five prototypes strategies
are currently being developed and evaluated for use in the RT-
TRACS program. The FHWA awarded five separate contracts to develop
these real-time prototype strategies. The contracts were awarded
to the University of Arizona, the University of Minnesota, the
University of Massachusetts (Lowell)/ PB Farradyne, Wright State
University in Ohio, and the University of Maryland/University
of Pittsburgh. Kaman Sciences Corporation is responsible for
evaluating these prototypes using the CORSIM simulation model.
In late 1997, the FHWA and the University of Arizona teamed
to develop and field test one of these prototypes, RHODES, an
open architecture version of RT-TRACS that will utilize an alternative database
management system and NTCIP protocol.
Three of these
prototypes, the RHODES prototype from the University
of Arizona, OPAC (Optimization Policies for Adaptive
Control) from PB Farradyne/ University of Massachusetts (Lowell),
and RTACL from the University of Pittsburgh/University
of Maryland, are at an advanced state of development. Initial
simulation testing showed that these prototype strategies produced
statistically significant improvements
in traffic throughput and reduced average delay. The results
of the laboratory evaluation of the RHODES prototype have indicated
a reduction in delay, stops, and fuel consumption of 24 percent,
9 percent, and 6 percent, respectively, while maintaining the
same throughput as the baseline case (vehicle actuated control).
A 16-intersection arterial in Reston, Virginia has been selected
for the field implementation. Instrumentation of the arterial
is in progress. Further testing is expected to occur in Seattle,
Washington, and Chicago, Illinois.
ATSAC (Automated
Traffic Surveillance and Control) -- The city of Los Angeles
created ATSAC --based originally on UTCS-- one of the earliest
and most extensive advanced traffic management systems, including
centralized, adaptive traffic signal control. The system includes
surveillance via loop detectors and closed circuit television,
signal optimization software, and real-time remote control of
signals.[14] Please see the case study
below.
Table 2: Comparison
of Traffic Control Systems
|
Operations
|
UTCS
|
SCOOT
|
SCATS
|
TracoNet
|
|
Control
|
Central
|
Central
|
Distributed
|
Distributed
|
|
Offsets
|
Pre-determined
|
Dynamic
|
Pre-determined
|
Predetermined
|
|
Traffic Responsive
|
plan matching
using system detectors
|
traffic projection
algorithms using system detectors
|
split adjustment
for existing traffic using occupancy detectors
|
Pattern matching
using system detectors
|
|
Cost of software
and master ($1994)
|
$100,000
|
$350,000
|
$130,000
|
$8,000
|
|
Contact
|
Honeywell,
Sperry, etc.
|
TRRL, GE,
Fortran Systems
|
New South
Wales Dept. of Roads, Phillips, AWA
|
Traconex
|
Source: Kagolanu,
K. A Comparative Study of Traffic Control Systems. Institute
of Transportation Engineers 1994 Compendium of Technical Papers.
Standard traffic controllers
are the field hardware used in signalized intersection control.
It is important to consider the capability of existing traffic
controllers when implementing a new traffic signal control strategy,
as earlier models may not be able to process the amount of data
required.
-
NEMA TS-1- The first broadly
accepted industry defined traffic controller, NEMA TS-1
is based on conformance to standard mechanical and electrical
connectors. The architecture is closed to the
customer, which does not allow a DOT to change the software
/ hardware and functionality of the product.
-
Caltrans 170- Created by Caltrans
in the 1970s, this controller defined not only the interface
standard, but also the microprocessor to be used and
its memory map. This approach allowed independent
software developers to create products, and DOTs benefited
from multiple hardware and software vendors. However,
they are now becoming outdated because they are not
able to support today's standards.
-
NEMA TS-2- Recognizing the need
for a new controller, NEMA published the TS-2 specification
in 1992. The system utilizes a serial I/O architecture
to provide modularity and expandability for the
I/O detectors. The TS-2 architecture remains closed
to the integrator, so the inherent limitations of a
closed system remain. Although the specifications
have been out since 1992, many believe that the Caltrans
2070 specification will preclude widespread adoption
of NEMA TS-2.
-
Caltrans 2070- The Caltrans Model
2070 ATC traffic controller is a new and advanced controller
intended to satisfy the high-end needs of the advanced
freeway and urban control systems and those applications
requiring greater performance and/or flexibility than
is currently available with the Model 170/E traffic controllers.
Specifications for the Model 2070 controller are currently
being refined.
Traffic signal control
can provide significant benefits for traffic flow on a surface
street network. However, it seems that the most advanced systems
are not always the most effective. Careful attention must be
paid to implement a traffic signal control system that is appropriate
and cost-effective for the area. In addition, it is important
to assess the current state of the existing traffic signal control
system when projecting results of an improvement to the system.
If a system is currently pretimed, and ACS is installed, there
will probably be a significant improvement. However, if the
current system is already fairly updated, the improvements will
generally not be as great.
Surprisingly, extensive
field tests in the 1980s, which compared each generation of
UTCS on an arterial and a grid network to a standard, pre-timed
system, showed that the simpler methods performed better on
average (See Table 3). 1-GC, in its various modes of operation,
performed best overall, and demonstrated that it can provide
measurable reductions in total travel time over that which could
be attained with a well maintained fixed time system.
In 2-GC and 3-GC, the effectiveness of the control system response
depends entirely on the quality of the prediction model.
The traffic responsive plan selection method was generally better
than the time of day method. The results of the 2-GC method
were mixed, but overall inferior to the 1-GC. The 3-GC
strategy was unsuccessful in responding to traffic flows and
degraded performance under almost all traffic conditions.
Counter-intuitively, the more responsive strategies resulted
in poorer performance than fixed cycle, non-responsive strategies.
A close examination of the experiments reveals that expectations
were not fulfilled because the models and procedures used in
the UTCS study failed. Proposed reasons for
the limited success of adaptive control included:
ˇ
Inherent inaccuracies in
the measurement prediction cycle, such that the strategies could
not respond fast enough.
ˇ
The frequent transition in
signal timing may incur considerable delays.
ˇ
Insufficient time allocated
for models to calculate a good optimum.
Table 3 presents a summary
of some extensive field tests conducted on UTCS control systems
in the United States in the early 1980's, comparing each generation
on an arterial and grid network. The UTCS strategies are compared
to operation with standard pre-timed traffic control. (+ indicates
an increase in the travel time)
Table 3 Comparison
of Results of UTCS Strategies
| |
% Change in aggregate
veh-minutes of travel with respect to base
|
|
UTCS Strategy
|
AM Peak
|
Off Peak
|
PM Peak
|
Daily Average
|
|
1-GC (Arterial)
|
-2.6
|
-4.0
|
-12.2
|
NA
|
|
1-GC (Network)
|
-3.2
|
+1.9
|
-1.6
|
NA
|
|
2-GC (Arterial)
|
-1.3
|
-3.8
|
+0.5
|
-2.1
|
|
2-GC (Network)
|
+4.4
|
+1.9
|
+10.7
|
+5.2
|
|
3-GC (Arterial)
|
+9.2
|
+24.0
|
+21
|
+16.9
|
|
3-GC (Network)
|
+14.1
|
-0.5
|
+7.0
|
+8.2
|
Source: Gartner,
Nathan, Chronis Stamatindius, and Phillip Tarnoff. Development
of Advanced Traffic Signal Control Strategies for ITS. Transportation
Research Record 1494, 1996.
NA: Data not available
Traffic signal control
improvements are very effective at reducing congestion. In
fact, they generally provide the greatest payoff compared with
any other method for reducing congestion on surface streets.
[12] Traffic signals do not need to become state-of-the-art
in order to realize great improvements in traffic flow. Often,
one simple improvement, such as interconnecting signals that
were previously operating independently, can produce significant
results. According to [12], projects in the United States have
found that:
-
Interconnecting previously uncoordinated
signals or pretimed signals, and providing newly optimized
timing plans and a central master control system can result
in a travel time reduction of 10-20 percent.
-
Installing advanced computer control has
resulted in about a 20 percent travel time reduction when
compared to interconnected pretimed signals using old timing
plans.
-
Installing advanced computer control has
resulted in a 10-16 percent travel time reduction when compared
to non-interconnected, traffic actuated controls.
-
Installing advanced computer control, when
compared to interconnected pre-timed control with relatively
active signal timing management, has resulted in an 8-10
percent travel time reduction.
-
Optimizing traffic signal timing plans,
when compared to previously interconnected signals with
various master control forms and varying previous signal
timing qualities, has resulted in a 10-15 percent reduction
in travel time.
In addition to significantly
reducing travel time, traffic signal control improvements also
reduce stops, fuel consumption, and emissions. For example,
the Texas Traffic Light Synchronization Grant Program II (TLS
II) achieved reduced fuel consumption, delay and stops by 13.5
% (20.8 million gallons/year), 29.6% (22 million hours/year),
and 11.5% (729 million stops/year), respectively. The
total savings to the public in the form of reduced fuel, delay,
and stops was approximately $252 million in the following year
alone. More significantly, however, the study indicated
that an average of 10 gallons of fuel was saved for every dollar
that was spent on the retiming project [8].
An aggressive signal
retiming effort in California resulted in a benefit-cost ratio
of 58 to 1. The program improved 3,172 signals across the state,
resulting in a 15% reduction in delay, 16% reduction in stops,
and a 7.2% reduction in travel time throughout the system.
The money saved from reduced fuel consumption (8.6%) alone returned
the total cost of the program 18 times over. [12]
Adaptive Control Strategies
(ACS) have additional benefits, such as increased safety. ACS
can reduce the number of stops through improved signal coordination,
which in turn reduces the chance of rear-end collisions. In
comparison to fully optimized fixed-time systems, SCATS has
been shown to reduce stops by up to 40 percent [11]. Since implementing
SCATS, Broward County, Florida has seen a 28 percent decrease
in stops, and Oakland County, Michigan showed a 33 percent reduction
in stops. ATSAC in Los Angeles has reduced stops by 41 percent
[11].
In
addition, ACS have the added advantage of being able to grow
with a community. The ITS deployment tracking database shows
that few areas re-time their signals each year. In fact, ITE
estimates that nearly 75 percent of all signals in the United
States need to be re-timed [11]. Most metropolitan areas do
not have the resources to re-time their signals regularly.
However, with ACS there is no need to reset signals, because
the system continually generates new timing plans. This is
especially beneficial to areas of high growth, where even the
best fixed timing plans quickly become out-of-date.
Traffic signal control
improvements vary widely in cost, and can be quite expensive.
Table 4 shows typical costs associated with traffic signal improvements,
and Table 5 shows estimated costs of ACS components.
Table 4 Costs of
Traffic Signal Improvements
|
Equipment or software updating
|
$2000-$3000
per signal
|
|
Timing plan improvements
|
$300-$400
per signal
|
|
Signal coordination and inter-connection
|
$5000-$13000
per signal
|
|
Signal Removal
|
$300-$400
per signal
|
Source:
Environmental Protection Agency, 1991
Table 5 Estimated
Costs of ACS Components
|
System
|
Central
Hardware ($)
|
Central
Software ($)
|
Local
Controllers ($)*
|
Detectors
($)*
|
|
SCATS**
|
30,000
|
40,000-70,000
|
4,000-6,000
|
5,000-7,000
|
|
SCOOT
|
30,000
|
NA
|
NA
|
5,000-7,000
|
|
OPAC
|
20,000-50,000
|
100,000-200,000
|
4,000-6,000
|
NA
|
|
RHODES
|
50,000
|
500
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
ATSAC
|
40,000-50,000
|
1,000
+ license
|
8,000-10,000
|
5,000-10,000
|
Source:
What Have We Learned about Intelligent Transportation Systems?,
2000
*per
intersection **requires regional hardware
In addition to the initial
cost, signal operations and maintenance costs can be significant,
and must be considered carefully. Several categories of maintenance
should be considered [12]:
-
Preventative Maintenance, to be performed
at regular intervals to avoid unnecessary problems
-
Response Maintenance,
which includes quick response to emergency situations as well
as trouble-shooting
-
Design Modification,
which deals with the need to monitor new equipment and new
signal locations in order to ensure safe and effective operation
ACS, when compared to
standard traffic control devices, can reduce operations and
maintenance costs, since the cost of maintenance for an ACS
system is much lower than the cost of retiming. However, it
is not that simple, because while signal retiming costs decrease,
other costs, such as loop maintenance increase. [11]
and Maintenance
Costs for SCOOT Compared to Standard Traffic Control Devices
|
Equipment/Task
|
Costs of SCOOT vs. Standard
|
|
Controllers
|
Same
|
|
Detectors
|
Increases
|
|
Signal
Plans/Updates
|
Decreases
|
Source:
What have we learned about Intelligent Transportation Systems?
2000
The most common challenge to implementation of traffic
signal control improvements is initial financial cost. Luckily,
as has been seen in California and Texas, the benefits from
a well-designed improvement program far outweigh the initial
cost.
It is crucial to use pilot studies and other evaluation
techniques in selecting a system that will work well for a particular
area. Some systems may not improve congestion in a certain
area at all. For example, a limited SCOOT installation in Anaheim,
California, produced little improvement, and even increased
delay in some cases. According to a US Department of Transportation-sponsored
evaluation of the system, detector placement may have been the
cause of the sub-optimal performance. [11]. In addition, in
areas with fairly predictable traffic demand and low growth,
a well-maintained fixed-time/time-of-day signal may perform
just as well as ACS.
The increased complexity of new traffic signal control
systems may also be an impediment. Additional training is normally
required for ACS systems, which are not considered user-friendly.
Furthermore, ACS is highly dependent on the communications network
and the traffic detectors. The system cannot work efficiently
without these reliable inputs.
Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control (ATSAC)
With its large population and
its auto-dependent urban form, Los Angeles experiences extremely
heavy congestion on its arterials. The situation is exacerbated
by activity centers, such as the coliseum and the airport, which
create large and less predictable surges of traffic. In response
to this problem, the city of Los Angeles created ATSAC, one
of the earliest and most extensive advanced traffic management
systems, including centralized, adaptive traffic signal control.
The system, first utilized around the Coliseum for the 1984
Olympic Games, was initially based on the FHWAs UTCS signal
control software, and customized by a consulting firm, JHK &
Associates. The system includes surveillance via loop detectors
and closed circuit television, signal optimization software,
and real-time remote control of signals.[14]
ATSAC has had tremendous
success in reducing system-wide congestion, as well as in clearing
event traffic. Since the system was implemented, coliseum traffic
clears within an hour after a big concert, compared with over
two hours previously. [14] In addition, the system has been
found to reduce stops by 35%, intersection delay by 20%, travel
time by 13%, fuel consumption by 12.5%, and air emissions by
10%. The benefit/cost ratio was found to be 9.8:1, and the
system paid for itself in less than one year. [15]
Faster and Safer
Travel through Traffic Routing and Advanced Controls (Fast-Trac)
About ten years ago, residential
population and economic activity skyrocketed in Oakland County,
Michigan. Unfortunately, along with the benefits of this growth
came significant traffic congestion. The cost of solving the
congestion problem was estimated to be almost $1 billion. Instead
of resorting to road and highway expansions, Oakland County
looked for a more innovative approach. The result was the Faster
and Safer Travel through Traffic Routing and Advanced Controls
(Fast-Trac) system.
Fast-Trac
integrates advanced traffic management with advanced traveler
information systems, with the SCATS adaptive control strategy
at the core. With their SCATS system, Oakland County can claim
many firsts: the first adaptive traffic control
system in the U.S., the first SCATS application in the western
hemisphere, and the first to use video image processing with
SCATS. Oakland County chose to use video surveillance instead
of loop detectors with SCATS for several reasons. Video cameras
can be installed on any surface and in any weather conditions--
a very important advantage in the Michigan climate. Also, one
video camera can monitor several lanes of traffic, while a conventional
loop detector can only monitor one.
Fast-Trac
has been very successful on several fronts. There has been an
89-percent drop in the number of accidents at the most dangerous
intersections, a 100 percent decrease in the number of serious
injuries at those same intersections, and 40-plus hours a year
trimmed from the average commute time.[16]
At
the World Cup soccer matches held in Detroit's Silverdome--and
since then, at other major concerts and special events--tests
showed that the traffic management system eased traffic flow
and reduced the need for police to manually direct traffic.
Overall, the program is responsible for a 19 percent increase
in rush-hour travel speed and a significant decrease in accidents.
Studies suggest that Fast-Trac could potentially reduce the
average number of vehicle stops by one-third, decreasing the
incidence of rear-end collisions and reducing carbon monoxide
emissions by 12 percent. [17]
Field Operational Test with SCOOT
Anaheim, best known for Disneyland,
also houses many other large event centers, including a convention
center; a professional baseball stadium, Anaheim Stadium; and
a professional hockey ice rink, Arrowhead Pond. These event
centers have a collective maximum attendance of 200,000 people;
when combined with Anaheims 300,000 residents, major traffic
congestion results. With these unpredictable surges of event
traffic, it seemed that Anaheim was a perfect candidate for
an ACS implementation.
As part of the federally
funded Anaheim Advanced Traffic Control System Field Operations
Test (FOT), a version 3.1 SCOOT system was installed by Siemens
for a portion of the City of Anaheim network near Arrowhead
Pond and Anaheim Stadium. From fall 1994 to spring 1998, PATH
researchers conducted a study comparing SCOOT to the previous
UTCS system, which was already considered state-of-the-art.
Contrary to expectations,
SCOOT was not found to be an improvement over the UTCS system.
The SCOOT system produced lower intersection delays in some
cases, but more often it produced higher delays. In cases where
there was improvement, the improvement was less than 5%, and
in cases where conditions worsened, the increase in delay was
less than 10%.
There were several problems
that led to SCOOT's less-than-ideal performance. Among others,
SCOOT predicts traffic conditions using input from loop detectors
located upstream of the intersection. The loop detectors in
Anaheim were located closer than usual to the intersection,
and therefore did not give SCOOT completely accurate information
on current traffic conditions. Also, as a result of cumulative
communication or other system faults, the SCOOT intersections
were unexpectedly being isolated from SCOOT control. Such faults
can be cleared manually in most cases, but this requires active
intervention on the part of the TMC operator. If faults are
actively cleared rather than being permitted to accumulate,
the signals involved usually remain under SCOOT control. The
number of signals slipping from SCOOT control decreased substantially
once the evaluation team demonstrated to Anaheim TMC operators
the need to clear faults as they occurred. Unfortunately, however,
these conditions still resulted in substantial data loss for
this portion of the evaluation.[18]
SCOOT's performance in
Anaheim should not be taken as a failure on the part of the
control strategy itself, but rather as a caution to potential
ASC implementors, highlighting the importance of field tests
and other preliminary research.
[1] Computer Controlled
Traffic Signal System, USDOT, Federal Highway Administration,
1982.
[2] Gartner, Nathan H.,
Stamatindius, Chronis, and Tarnoff, Philip, J., Development
of Advanced Traffic Signal Control Strategies for Intelligent
Transportation Systems: Multilevel Design, Transportation Research
Record 1494, 1995.
[3] Dell'Olmo, Paolo, and
Mirchandani, Pitu B., REALBAND: An Approach for Real-time Coordination
of Traffic Flows on Networks, Transportation Research Record
1494, 1996.
[4] Busch,
Fritz, MOTION a new approach
to urban network control, Traffic Technology International 1996.
[5] Genovese, Joseph, A.,
SCOOT in the USA, Institute of Transportation Engineers 1994
Compendium of Technical Papers.
[6] Rahka, H., and Aerde,
M. Van, REALTRAN: An Off-line Emulator for Estimating
the Effects of SCOOT, Transportation Research Record 1494, 1996.
[7] Grover, Albert, et.
al., Multijurisdictional Traffic Signal Coordination - A Pleasant
Experience !, Institute of Transportation Engineers 65th Annual
Meeting, 1995 Compendium of Technical Papers.
[8] Fambro, Daniel, et.
al., Benefits of the Texas Traffic Light Synchronization (TLS)
Grant Program II, Texas Transportation Institute, 1995.
[9] Institution of
Civil Engineers, Electronic Traffic Control, How Does UK Compare?,
1988.
[10] Transportation Infrastructure
- Benefits of Traffic Control Signal Systems Are Not Being Fully
Realized, US General Accounting Office, 1994.
[11] Hicks,
Brandy and Carter, Mark, What Have We Learned About Intelligent
Transportation Systems?-- Arterial Management, US Department
of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration, 2000.
[12] Meyer,
Michael, A Toolbox for Alleviating Traffic Congestion and Enhancing
Mobility, Institue of Transportation Engineers, 1997.
[13] Gordon,
Robert, et al., Traffic Control Systems Handbook, US Department
of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, 1996.
[14] Dahlgren,
Joy, et al., Lessons from Case Studies of Advanced Transportation
and Information Systems, California PATH, 1996.
[15] Rowe,
Edwin, The Los Angeles Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control
(ATSAC) System, Los Angeles Department of Transportation, 1990.
[16] Gravat,
Jack, FAST-TRAC - Success In Any Lane, http://www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov/%5CJPODOCS%5CPRESSREL/$801!.PDF,
undated.
[17] Traveling with Success:
How Local Governments Use Intelligent Transportation Systems:
On the Fast-Trac to Economic Health-- Oakland County, Michigan,
Public Technologies, Inc., undated [http://pti.nw.dc.us/task_forces/transportation/docs/success/travel31.htm]
[18] Moore, Jayakrishnan,
McNally, MacCarley, "SCOOT Performance in Anaheim Advanced
Traffic Control System", Intellimotion - Research Updates
in Intelligent Transportation Systems, Vol. 8, No. 3, 1999
Author: Rebecca Pearson,
Last Update: 11/01/01
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