NTL Record

Title Cross-Jurisdictional Signal Coordination Case Studies Final Report
Record ID 19590
Personal Name
Creator
Timbrook, P.; Trombly, J.; Gupta, A.
Personal Name
Contributor
Crenshaw, Pamela
Corporate Creator United States. Department of Transportation. Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office
Corporate
Contributor
Science Applications International Corporation
Publisher United States. Federal Highway Administration
Publication Date 20020201
Language English
Abstract Numerous areas throughout the country are benefiting from traffic signal coordination within their own communities and increasingly across jurisdictional boundaries into neighboring communities. There are a number of technical challenges to accomplish traffic signal coordination, which include: (1) using wireline or wireless interconnection or highly accurate time-based coordinators to provide a common cycle length; (2) systematically optimizing the interval settings for actuated signals and optimizing the parameters of pre-timed signals; and (3) using a computer system or Advanced Transportation Controller to provide real-time traffic responsive or traffic-adaptive traffic control. The technical challenges associated with coordinating traffic signals, however, become more problematic when working across operating jurisdictions. It is sometimes difficult to implement technical solutions when there are no operating agreements in place to direct coordination policies. In addition, jurisdictions may have incompatible hardware or traffic signal control standards that inhibit the ability to implement cross-jurisdictional coordination. The five case studies presented in this report demonstrate that cross- jurisdictional signal coordination is an achievable goal for any size community regardless of the number of jurisdictions involved, the type of hardware and equipment, or even the philosophical differences in timing approaches. While some agencies enter into formal agreements for maintenance of another agency's signals, informal agreements are more common for coordinating the traffic signal at a common border. The most important factor in achieving coordination across jurisdictional boundaries is not the technical or equipment challenges. The most important factor is cooperation and communications among the agencies. The benefits that can be achieved from cross-jurisdictional signal coordination are not only seen alleviating traffic congestion, improving air quality, and improving safety, but can also be realized in other ways as in the case of Tucson, which has realized cost efficiencies for the purchase and installation of traffic control equipment for the region.
Rosap ID dot:43753
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/43753
TRT Terms Traffic signal control systems; Case studies; Traffic safety; Communication; Coordination
General Subjects Case studies; Community planning; Cooperation; Equipment; Jurisdictional boundari; Lessons learned; Surveys; Traffic control devices; Traffic signal coordination; Traffic signal optimization; Traffic signal timing; Traffic signals; Transportation planning
Geographical
Coverage
United States
TRIS Online
Accession No
930004
Contract Number DTFH61-01-C-00180
Report Number FHWA-OP-02-034
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/19000/19500/19590/PB2002108208.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository