Evaluation of an Enhanced Traffic Adaptive Control System

1. Evaluation of an Enhanced Traffic Adaptive Control System Joseph K. Lam, P.Eng. Managing Director Delcan International Corporation 18th ITS World Congress Orlando, Florida October 20, 2011

2. Who is Delcan? Founded in 1953, Delcan is a 750 person multidisciplinary engineering, management and technology consulting firm focused on transportation Moving Technology to the Future for over 50 years - Worldwide Integrated Systems and Infrastructure Solutions • 2

3. Drawbacks of Legacy Systems • Development based on obsolete computer platforms and closed architecture • Large number of in-ground vehicle detector loops • Extensive communication requirements for second-by-second control • Exhaustive fine tuning • Only applicable to medium levels of congestion

4. Delcan’s MAC System • Multi-criteria adaptive traffic control • Flexible detector configuration • Prediction of traffic patterns • Distributed processing capability • Open architecture

5. Evaluation: York Region • A ‘County’ in the Greater Toronto Area • Population – 1 Million and fast growing • 600+ signals • Multi-protocol System (CTCS) - Supports 16 protocols on 4 controller brands • Flexible communication supports leased lines, radio, 1xRTT, etc.

6. Existing System • Region’s Central Traffic Control System • Uses Fixed-time Traffic Control Strategy • Less Efficient In Response to Traffic Variations and Changes of Traffic Patterns • Review of Region’s Signal Timing Plans Is Done Every Two Years • Update of Signal Timing Plans Is Labour-intensive & Time Consuming

7. Region’s Needs • Timely Response to Changes of Traffic Demands • A Cost Effective Tool For Efficient Updating of Signal Timings • Appropriate Traffic Control Strategies In Response to Different Traffic Conditions

8. Region’s System Objectives • Accurately Predict Traffic Patterns and Optimize Signal Timings • Use Cost-effective Vehicle Detectors • Minimize Communications Dependency • Use Distributed, Open System Architecture • Effectively Deal with Wide Range of Traffic Conditions • Open to a variety of controllers and systems

9. Signal Timing Changes • Change Signal Timings Every Cycle • Except for Light Traffic (15 minutes) * This supports most “intra-cycle” features (e.g. countdowns) • Timing Optimization Constrained to Small Changes for Smooth Transition • Incremental Change to Cycle Length (± 6 s) • Incremental Change to Offset (± 4 s) • Change Splits According to Demand Ratios * This allows for smooth transition during offset changes and avoids drastic changes in the signal operation

10. MAC Software Architecture MAC Central Server Database UTC Multi-Criteria Adaptive Control NTCIP - Configuration - Operational - Historical - MIB Data Algorithm #N Algorithm #2 Algorithm #1 MAC Field Interface Module Web Interface Service NTCIP MAC Adapter NTCIP TLC Central Interface Field Interface Simulator Interface Traffic Data Simulator MAC Local Manager NTCIP/ Native (Testing Only) Intelligent VDC Dig I/O Loop

11. MAC Deployment Existing Signal System Workstation Workstation Workstation … … Traffic Signal Controller Traffic Signal Controller Traffic Signal Controller

12. MAC Deployment Existing with MAC Workstation … Workstation Workstation … Traffic Signal Controller Traffic Signal Controller Traffic Signal Controller

13. Detector Requirements • Open to all types of sensor technologies • Flexible Location Criteria • Stop-Line • At Critical Intersections (Cycle Length & Split) • Lane Entry • Intermediate Intervals along Arterial (Offset) • No Detector • Minor Intersections

14. Pilot Network Selection Major Commuter Transit Parking • 40,000 AADT • 11 traffic control signals Highway Interchange Major Shopping Centre

15. System Assessment • Micro-simulation Test • AM Peak (Base Model) • Traffic Diversion From Highway 407 • Incident, etc • On-street System Evaluation • Conduct “Before & After” Study • Evaluate System Performance • Delay • Queue Length, etc

16. Micro-simulation Results – Delay Reduction Intersection Average Delay Reduction up to 11%

17. Micro-simulation Results -Average Queue Lengths Consistent Reductions of Queue Lengths

18. On-Street System Evaluation – Cycle Length System Cycle Lengths Tracks Volume Trend

19. On-Street System Evaluation - Green Splits Green Splits Track Traffic Volume Ratios

20. Conclusions of the Pilot Network Testing • The open system architecture design provided for seamless integration of the adaptive traffic control package with the Region’s existing CTCS • The adaptive traffic control package was successfully integrated and proven to work with the Region’s legacy signal controllers • The use of 3G wireless data communications technology provided a reliable, sustainable and cost effective solution • MAC performed well compared to the fixed-time operation

21. Key Benefits of Delcan MAC System • Integration with existing legacy systems • Management of oversaturated and gridlocked traffic (as well as heavy traffic) • Multi-protocol interface and ability to work with multiple controller manufacturers/types • Flexible (and minimal) detector requirements • Low data transmission requirements (and hence low communications cost ~ 70% reduction) • Robust and highly efficient communications scheme – supports a variety of wireless technologies

22. Questions and Answers • For further information, please contact: • Perry Craig: p.craig@delcan.com • Joseph Lam: j.lam@delcan.com

23. THANK YOU Visit our website! www.delcan.com