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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
|