National Traffic Signal Report Card National Transportation Operations Coalition June 2005

National Traffic Signal Report Card: Purpose Determine how well the nation supports signals Build a case for more attention and investment Provide a benchmarking tool for agencies

National Traffic Signal Report Card: Self Assessment Self assessment – August 2004 Proactive Management Coordinate Signal Systems Individualized Signal Systems Specialized Operations Detectors Maintenance All responses were anonymous

National Traffic Signal Report Card: Participants 378 Responses 49 states represented 242 cities 62 counties Good distribution between Population Signal system size

National Traffic Signal Report Card Overall score is D- Management & detection scored lowest Individual Intersections scored highest

National Traffic Signal Report Card: Why such a low score? Signals turn green, yellow and red BUT, Not operating as an efficient, well- integrated system Proactive management is limited Resources spent fighting fires

National Traffic Signal Report Card Large systems scored higher than national Small systems noticeably lower

National Traffic Signal Report Card Fairly equal scoring States slightly higher in some categories

National Traffic Signal Report Card: Other Findings Proactive Management: F 68% have no documented management plan or manage ad hoc Coordinated Operations: D- 50%+ do not conduct timing reviews every 3-5 years

National Traffic Signal Report Card: Other Findings Individualized Operations: C- 75% have no documented process to trigger timing reviews Detectors: F 1/3 have no regular process for collecting data for timing Maintenance: D+ Agencies operate with minimum staffing

National Traffic Signal Report Card: What We Learned Nation doesn t support signal operations well Agencies manage signals by fighting fires Resource limitations result in inefficient operations Small investments have big benefits (40:1 B/C) We can do better!

National Traffic Signal Report Card: More Resources Needed Signal Hardware - $265m/year Timing Updates - $200m/year Maintenance - $500m/year Total - $965m/year $104B/year spent on highway transportation

National Traffic Signal Report Card If we had the resources for a high score Delay would decrease by 15-20% Travel time would reduce up to 25% Emissions would reduce up to 22% Fuel consumption would reduce up to 10%

National Traffic Signal Report Card Media Relations Prep Press packages sent to participants Publicize to all practitioners Report released to participants National press conference (April 05)

National Traffic Signal Report Card Media Relations - Advance AP story Radio interviews Daybook, , faxes, calls Media Relations – day of conference Press conference (cameras from 8 outlets) Interviews (TV, radio, print) Follow up interviews throughout the week

National Traffic Signal Report Card Media Relations Results AP story used throughout US USA Today (p. 3) National TV & Radio (ABC, FOX, Good Morning America, CNN, Osgood File) 400+ local TV stories 300+ local print stories

National Traffic Signal Report Card Evaluation – 193 Responses 50% found assessment tool useful 84% said assessment tool was reasonably or very accurate 67% recommend 3-5 year repeat

National Traffic Signal Report Card Media attention received 56% no attention 30% print 24% TV 17% Radio Local Media outreach 77% no outreach 13% press release 3% press conference

National Traffic Signal Report Card 28% said media attention provided chance to make the case Will the report card assist in getting more resources? 5% yes 35% maybe 39% unlikely 22% no

National Traffic Signal Report Card Evaluation 57% said report card was good for their agency 78% said report card was good for transportation community 95% would participate again

National Traffic Signal Report Card What s Next Capitalize on the press coverage Argue for appropriate funding and staff Use the National Report Card as leverage Keep up the attention locally Tools available at Self assessment Report Card (Exec Summ & Tech Report) Presentation (PPT) Supporting materials (messages, signals 101, etc)