Adaptive Signal Control Technology

1. Adaptive Signal Control Technology Edward Fok, FHWA Office of Technical Service/ Resource Center Phoenix SHOWCASE September 8, 2011

2. Agenda • Snapshot of the Every Day Counts Initiative • The Signal Timing Problem • What is ASCT • The Benefits of ASCT • ASCT Program Goals • Implementation Considerations

3. Accelerating Technology and Innovation Deployment • Warm Mix Asphalt • Precast Bridge Elements • Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil • Safety Edge • Adaptive Signal Control Technology

4. What Do Motorists Want? • “Why do I have to wait when there’s nobody else moving” • Translation: Equitable distribution of green time • “Can’t I just drive down the street?” • Translation: Progression—driving through successive greens

5. AM Traditional Traffic Signal Timing TYPICAL Traffic Signal Timing PEAK 15 Min

6. Variability is Normal—And the Problem PEAK 15 Min

7. The Big Box Scenario – Year 1

8. Year 5

9. Year 9

10. Year 10

11. Year 13

12. What is ASCT? Adaptive Signal Control Technology

13. Signal Timing & Delay Do Nothing Delay Constant Fine Tuning (ASCT) Complaints Periodic Retiming Time (years) Source: City of Alpharetta

14. Adaptive Without Periodic Retiming Delay “WOW!!! 50% Improvement!!!” Time (years) Source: City of Alpharetta

15. Adaptive in a Well Timed System Retiming Costs Delay User Costs Time (years) Source: City of Alpharetta

16. Benefits of ASCT Improves arterial performance by maintaining the effectiveness of Traffic Signal Timing • Delivers better service to road users • Solves problems for operators • Provides value

17. ASCT Deployment Status Source: Aleksandar Stevanovic, Florida Atlantic University

18. Program Vision “Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT) is utilized as an operations strategyto improve the performance of traffic signal timing to reduce congestion where demand conditions and agency capabilities support its implementation. “

19. Goal By December 2012, The EDC / ASCT toolsare used to guide the implementation or programming of 40 Adaptive control systems.

20. What are the Tools? Guidance, Training, Technical Assistance • Design • Technology Selection • Operation & Maintenance • Resources

21. Why Tools?

22. “Vee” Model

23. What’s in it for you? • Inform Technology Selection • Agency Needs & Objectives • Agency Policies • Operations and Maintenance Capability • Resources • Expansion • Equipment Life Cycle • Procurement Options • Meet Federal Rule 940 and Rule 635 requirements

24. 940.11 Rule Requirements • All ITS projects must be developed using a Systems Engineering (SE) analysis • The analysis shall be on a scale commensurate with the project scope • SE analysis shall address (7) requirements

25. EDC / ASCT Tools • Systems Engineering • Workshops / Technical Assistance – Currently Available • Guidance – June 2011 • Training March 2012 • Planning & Funding ASCT • Training - August 2011 • Evaluation Methodology for Advanced Traffic Signal Operational Improvements • Guidance - Jan 2012 • Training – Early 2012 • ASCT Outreach • Webinar, Showcase, Articles & Information

26. Readily Available ASCT • QuicTrac • NWS Voyage • Multi-criteria Adaptive Control • KLD • ACSLite • BALANCE • InSync • LA ATCS • MOTION • OPAC • RHODES • SCATS • SCOOT • UTOPIA

27. Capital Investment $8,000 - $60,000 per intersection • Fixed: • Software • License • Warranty • Support • Configuration • Calibration • Variable: • Detection • Communications • Hardware • Control Equipment • Processors • Devices • Configuration • Setup • Calibration • Updates

28. Operations & MaintenanceInvestment Reactive • Manual Data Collection • Offline Analysis & Modeling • Travel Time Studies • Citizen Complaints • Detector Failures • Communications Proactive • Active Monitoring • Adjustment • Maintenance Critical • Reporting