1. Bell Road Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT) Deployment Project
May 10, 2017
ACEC Arizona Meeting
Thank you Elijah and
thank you for giving me the opportunity to be here and talk about this project.
majority of my career I have worked with signals but more in your traditional ways.
Retiming corridors about every 3 years and addressing citizen concerns.
So having an opportunity to be the Project Manager for this project is a big deal to me.
Nationally, this is one of the largest ASCT projects and will add adaptive capabilities to the 50 existing traffic signals.
improving the signal timing on the busiest corridor in the state
significant benefits in travel time, emissions, and delays and increased reliability and predictability of travel.
So lets get started.
Presented by:
April Wire, P.E., PTOE
Maricopa County Department of Transportation

2. Overview Bell Rd History What is Adaptive Signal Control Technology?
Bell Rd ASCT Deployment Project Details
Current Phase of Project
Challenges & Lessons Learned
Next Steps
I wanted to go over the:
History of Bell Rd – How did we get here?
What is an adaptive system? - on a high level
I wanted to get into the project details
and the current state of the project
and also challenges & lessons learned up to this point
Then the next steps.

3. Overview Bell Rd History What is Adaptive Signal Control Technology?
Bell Rd ASCT Deployment Project Details
Current Phase of Project
Challenges & Lessons Learned
Next Steps
So let’s start with the History.

4. Bell Road First – Where is Bell Rd?
We are talking about this area here.
It is one of the only continuous arterial in the northern portion of the metro area.

5. Bell Road 6 lane regional linkage to multiple cities
Serving up to 65,000 vehicles per pay
(Capacity for 6-lanes is 45,000-48,000 vpd)
To put that Number into perspective - a 4 lane freeway can carry 72,000 vpd.

6. Bell Rd Coordination Committee
The Bell Rd Coordination Committee was formed in the early 2000s because of the need for agencies along Bell Rd to provide better traffic signal progression.
The 7 agencies that have traffic signals along Bell Rd got together to discuss signal operations along Bell Rd. The Committee members worked together to ensure that drivers had a seamless commute as they traveled from city to city across Bell Rd. At first, the goal was to help provide better signal timing progression. As the traffic volumes grew, agencies realized that coordinating the signals could only help so much as the roadway was over its volume capacity. So the partners started looking at other alternatives to help improve travel time and safety on Bell Rd.

7. Bell Rd Coordination Committee Goals
Ensure drivers had a seamless commute
Help provide better signal timing progression
Keep up with the changing traffic patterns created by seasonal traffic and special events
(i.e. Spring Training Baseball)
Improve travel time and safety
Committee members worked together
to ensure that drivers had a seamless commute as they traveled from city to city across Bell Rd.
the goal was to help provide better signal timing progression.
As the traffic volumes grew, agencies realized that coordinating the signals could only help so much as the roadway was over its volume capacity.
partners started looking at other alternatives to help improve travel time and safety on Bell Rd.

8. Committee Past Projects
PTZ Camera Installation
DMS Sign Installations
Fiber Installations
Working together to come up with funs and resources

9. Alternatives Comparison
Roadway Widening Solution
ITS Technologies
Solution
Estimated Project Cost
$24 Million
$1.6 Million
Right-of-Way Impact
Yes No
Utility Relocation
Annual Operating Cost
$100,000
$30,000 - $50,000
Implement ITS Technology Solution
committee came up with 2 alternatives to explore…widen the road and add more lanes or install some type of ITS technology.
With the roadway widening project the cost was estimated to be about $24 million vs. an ITS solution being about $1.6 million.
ITS solutions typically have no impacts to ROW or utilities as much of the work is done in existing infrastructure.
ITS solutions typically have a lower annual operating cost.
The committee decided to move forward with the ITS solution.

10. Project Areas MARICOPA COUNTY Department of Transportation
Department of Transportation
Project Areas
Hence, the Bell Rd Adaptive Signal Control Technology Project was born!
The committee decided to break the project up into 4 project areas with each surrounding the freeway interchanges since most of the fluctuations in traffic come from motorist detouring off of the freeway. As you can see the project is not continuous from end to end. This was purposefully done as this is considered to be a pilot project to evaluate how each system works under different scenarios.
Project Area 1 is concerned about how to keep the traffic generated by Spring Training move smoothly.
Project Area 2 is the most complex area since it includes MCDOT, ADOT, Peoria, and Glendale. The system must be a disturbed system and be able to talk to each of the agencies infrastructure.
Project Area 3 in Scottsdale experiences a lot of daily fluctuations in traffic from just having extremely high volumes. They also were concerned with growth in the future in the area. So they wanted a system that could be expanded easily.
Project Area 4 wanted to improve progression across the freeway interchange without overextending their staff resources.
1. Bell Road & SR 303 & Grand Avenue
21 Intersections operated by Surprise & ADOT
2. Bell Road & Loop 101
13 Intersections operated by MCDOT, Peoria, ADOT, & Glendale
4. Bell Road & I-17
7 intersections operated by Phoenix & ADOT
3. Frank Lloyd Wright & Loop 101
10 intersections operated by Scottsdale

11. Project Area Needs Area 1 (Surprise)
Keep Spring Training and special event traffic moving smoothly
Area 2 (MCDOT, ADOT, Peoria, & Glendale)
Distributed system
Area 3 (Scottsdale)
Future growth
Area 4 (Phoenix)
Improve progression across the freeway interchange without overextending staff resources
Project Area 1 is concerned about how to keep the traffic generated by Spring Training move smoothly.
Project Area 2 is the most complex area since it includes MCDOT, ADOT, Peoria, and Glendale. The system must be a disturbed system and be able to talk to each of the agencies infrastructure.
Project Area 3 in Scottsdale experiences a lot of daily fluctuations in traffic from just having extremely high volumes. They also were concerned with growth in the future in the area. So they wanted a system that could be expanded easily.
Project Area 4 wanted to improve progression across the freeway interchange without overextending their staff resources.

12. Overview Bell Rd History What is Adaptive Signal Control Technology?
Bell Rd ASCT Deployment Project Details
Current Phase of Project
Challenges & Lessons Learned
Next Steps

13. What exactly is the adaptive signal control technology?
conventional signal control systems.
preprogramed using a daily schedule.
For example, during the AM Peak Period the signals will be programed for motorists traveling to work.
In the PM, the signal will be programmed for the opposite direction of r motorists traveling home from work.
This happens at the same time everyday and will not change unless there is a manual change to the system.
It does this in real-time faster than an engineer can implement the change manually. .

14. Advantages of ASCT Continuously updates signal timing
Improve Travel Time
Reduced Congestion with Smoother Flow
Prolong the Effectiveness of Signal Timing
Accommodate Variable Traffic Demand
continuously distribute the green times as changes in traffic patterns occur
improve the travel time across Bell Rd during reoccurring and non reoccurring events.
reducing congestions and providing smoother flow.
Less signal timing projects will have to occur as the system is continuously changing the signal timings as traffic patterns change.
ASCT is an operations strategy with great potential to reduce congestion and improve safety.
An adaptive traffic signal system is one in which some or all of the signal timing parameters are modified in response to changes in the traffic conditions, in real time.
The vision of the ASCT system is to provide an advanced traffic control system that automatically responds to changing traffic conditions, and reduces delays and corridor travel times, while managing queues and improving safety for each of the four sections.
The purpose of providing adaptive control in these areas is to overcome variable, unpredictable traffic patterns and to minimize queues during periods of congestion.

15. Overview Bell Rd History What is Adaptive Signal Control Technology?
Bell Rd ASCT Deployment Project Details
Current Phase of Project
Challenges & Lessons Learned
Next Steps

16. Project Details 50 Traffic Signals 15.6 Miles 7 Agencies
Not inclusive of all traffic signals on Bell Rd, but focusing on areas around the freeway system
15.6 Miles
7 Agencies
MCDOT, ADOT, Surprise, Peoria, Glendale, Phoenix and Scottsdale
Pilot Project to test ASCT under different scenarios
Broken up into 4 project areas

17. Project Vision
The vision of the ASCT system is to provide an advanced traffic control system that automatically responds to changing traffic conditions, and reduces delays and corridor travel times, while managing queues and improving safety for each of the four (4) project areas.
Like any good project we wanted to have an established a project vision, goals and objectives.
Our vision is focused on reducing delay and travel time, managing queues and improving safety.

18. Project Goals
To improve the overall traffic flow efficiency and safety of Bell Road by:
Providing coordination across jurisdictions at key locations on Bell Rd.
This project will add adaptive capabilities to the existing signal system and offer signal coordination between agencies that currently does not exist in each area.
Reducing recurring and non-recurring congestion on Bell Rd and intersecting roadways.
Mitigating the effects of non-recurring congestions on Bell Rd, intersection roadways and intersection freeways.
Improving freeway and arterial operations at traffic interchanges and ramps.
Our goals are to improve the overall traffic flow efficiency and safety by providing coordination across jurisdictions by reducing and mitigating the effects of recurring and non-recurring congestion.

19. Project Objectives Adjust operation to changing conditions
Reduce delay
Reduce travel times
Provide the same level of or improvements in safety provided by the existing system to vehicles, pedestrians, transit, and emergency services
Reduce vehicle emissions through improvements in appropriate determinants such as vehicle stops and delays
We want the system to…

20. Funding & Federal Interest
Federally funded project with an agency match (CMAQ Program)
FHWA Project of Division Interest (PoDI)
Level of Complexity, Multiple Jurisdictions, & Risk
National Interest
This project is a funded through a CMAQ grant and is a PHWA Project of Division Interest.
Congestions Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program

21. Systems Engineering Process
We used the FHWA Systems Engineering Process to help mitigate risk by documenting needs and requirements.
It helped us develop requirements and specifications for an adaptive system which were used in the RFP.
Currently we are in the Software/Hardware Development Field Installation stage.

22. Procurement Process Adaptive System(s) Competitive Sealed Proposals
Qualifications Ability to meet technical requirements Cost Component
Detection & ARID Low Bid
We had to go through 2 procurement processes, one for the adaptive system and another for the detection & ARID
ARID sensors to collect performance metrics and monitor congestion

23. Overview Bell Rd History What is Adaptive Signal Control Technology?
Bell Rd ASCT Deployment Project Details
Current Phase of Project
Challenges & Lessons Learned
Next Steps

24. ASCT System Vendor Selection

25. Area 1 (City of Surprise)

26. Area 2 (MCDOT, ADOT, Peoria, Glendale)

27. Area 3 & 4 (Cities of Scottsdale & Phoenix)
ASCT Vendor Selection:
Area 3 (City of Scottsdale):
Area 4 (City of Phoenix, ADOT)
TransCore, “ACDSS module in TranSuite”
Supported by KLD Engineering

28. Overview Bell Rd History What is Adaptive Signal Control Technology?
Bell Rd ASCT Deployment Project Details
Current Phase of Project
Challenges & Lessons Learned
Next Steps
Projected Outcomes

29. Hurdles & Road Blocks Communication between stakeholder
Clearance Issues – Schedule Impacts
Lack of ITS knowledge
Procurement & Federal Requirements – Schedule Impacts
Participant Turn-Over
Getting all the stakeholders in one room and talking is sometimes one of the most challenging tasks. Every agency in the valley does something a little different when it comes to signal timing and getting a consensus can be challenging. We are lucky that we have great partnerships established in the valley because of the AZTech Regional Traffic Management Partnership.
Clearance Issues - You are never done with clearances until the contract is ready to bid. We were able to obtain many of the clearances necessary ahead of time but still ran into issues. Since many people involved in this project don’t have a traffic engineering background it is hard for them to understand that there are no impacts to the ROW or environmental impacts since there is minimal ground disturbance. Most personal is used to working on roadway projects and not ITS projects.
Procurement and Federal Requirement can be cumbersome and can drag out your timeline as there are several steps in the approval and documentation process.
Obtaining permits can also drag out your schedule. It is best of understand what the permit process is and how long it takes. In this case, it is difficult because there are so many agencies involved and not everyone is familiar with everyone else's permit processes.
There has been lots of turn over in personal with this project. I am the 4th project management on the MCDOT side alone. A few of the other agencies have had staffing changes as well along with the consultant on this project.

30. Lessons Learned Keep participates updated regularly
Identify a champion for the project, not just a project manager
Define clear goals and objectives
Process documentation is necessary and helpful
Accept that there will be delays
Define an acceptance and approval process for system acceptance
Multiple agency involvement offers opportunity to improve operations
Understand partners’ goals

31. Overview Bell Rd History What is Adaptive Signal Control Technology?
Bell Rd ASCT Deployment Project Details
Current Phase of Project
Challenges & Lessons Learned
Next Steps

32. Next Steps MCDOT Article 5 Design/Bid/Build Before/After Study
Installation of Detection and ARID devices
Complete Late Summer
Before/After Study
ARID devices
Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures
Final System Verification & Acceptance Process

33. April Wire, P.E., PTOE aprilwire@mail.maricopa.gov Project Manager
Questions?
MCDOT Traffic Management Division, ITS Branch
April Wire, P.E., PTOE Project Manager
Lee Engineering, LLC
Dave Bruggeman, P.E., PTOE Project Manager, Design