Adaptive Signals & ALDOT Lessons Learned from U.S. 280

ALDOT 280 Project Information

Roadway Characteristics ALDOT 280 Roadway Characteristics -Six-lane divided arterial -Posted speed limit of 55 mph -Daily Volume 60k-90k -26 signals (9 mile segment) -Recurring peak hour congestion -Existing signals utilize time based coordination

ALDOT 280 Land Uses Residential Commercial Single Family Apartments/Condos Commercial Big Box Retail High Turnover Sit Down and Fast Food Restaurants Lodging Office Space (East Central Region Office)

What is Adaptive Signal Control? ALDOT 280 What is Adaptive Signal Control? Adaptive signal control technologies adjust when green lights start and end to accommodate current traffic patterns to promote smooth flow and ease traffic congestion. - FHWA

ALDOT 280 Types of Adaptive Signal Control SCOOT – Split Cycle Offset Optimization Technique SCATS - Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System RHODES - Real Time Hierarchical Optimized Distributed Effective System ACS Lite InSync

Adaptive Signal System ALDOT 280 Adaptive Signal System Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System (SCATS) Chosen for all three deployments in Alabama Birmingham (State Maintained) Huntsville Montgomery

SCATS ALDOT 280 Australian Uses SCATS firmware Each intersection has unique personality Some simple changes require personality change Adapts splits and offsets Provides a wealth of data Requires some computer language code writing Utilizes stop line detection (crash delays)

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Equipment Upgrades ALDOT 280 Siemens M52 Controllers Autoscope Video Cameras Ruggedcom Ethernet Switches

Video Detection ALDOT 280 Camera angle Camera height Design calls for 15’ stop line detection zones Intersection lighting during dark hours

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SCATS systems greatest nemesis? ALDOT 280 SCATS systems greatest nemesis? Distracted Drivers! aka Jokers with cell phones

Distracted Drivers Negative Impacts ALDOT 280 Distracted Drivers Negative Impacts High cycle lengths Opportunity to become distracted First car leaves stop line, second car just sits Predominately single left turn lanes Signal gaps out then reduces time allocated for next cycle Queues back out into through lanes

Other Negative Impacts ALDOT 280 Other Negative Impacts Driver placement (stop well behind stop line) Sun glare Shadows Emergency Pre-emption

FLIR thermal imaging camera ALDOT 280 Alternate Detection Autoscope Duo FLIR thermal imaging camera Wavetronix

Wavetronix Detection ALDOT 280 No more snappy bar Intersection lighting doesn’t matter Vehicle color doesn’t matter IP addressable

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ITS Technologies Deployed To Date ALDOT 280 ITS Technologies Deployed To Date 8 PTZ Cameras BlueTOAD Autoscope Duo (Test) Overhead DMS @better280 twitter account Wavetronix Matrix / Click 650

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ALDOT 280 The Wonderful World of Social Media

People Really Hate This Road! ALDOT 280 People Really Hate This Road!

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BEFORE & AFTER TRAVEL TIME INFORMATION ALDOT 280 BEFORE & AFTER TRAVEL TIME INFORMATION

ALDOT 280 BlueTOAD Device Map

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Getting on the right track… ALDOT 280 Getting on the right track… Tweaking begins Off peak improvements start to appear Still experience saturated conditions on the mainline in the peak hours Tracking travel times through BlueTOAD

Getting on the right track… ALDOT 280 Getting on the right track…

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ALDOT 280 ACCESS MANAGEMENT Remove, add, and modify traffic signals Increase turning capacities Michigan left

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ALDOT 280 The Wonderful World of Social Media

ALDOT 280 Other Efforts Alabama Service and Assistance Patrol Expansion Contract wrecker service

ALDOT 280 The Next Big Thing Grandview Medical Center

Lessons Learned Summary ALDOT 280 Lessons Learned Summary Detection, Detection, Detection! Camera placement (side fire vs. diagonal) Intersection lighting during dark hours T.O.D. operation during AM peak Travel time detection devices Include remote viewing capabilities Concrete over striping! Don’t be afraid to seek help from the experienced!

Remember, you can’t just…… ALDOT 280 Remember, you can’t just…… “Set it and forget it!”