VDOT s Traffic Signal Program - Innovation & Partnerships Anne K.C. Booker, P.E., PTOE SW Assistant Regional Traffic Engineer Ritchie Robbins, P.E., PTOE Senior Signal System Engineer VASITE Annual Meeting June 25, 2015
Traffic Signals When We re Good! When properly designed, located, operated and maintained signals assign the right-of-way to various traffic movements and profoundly influence the flow of traffic. Advantages & Benefits: Provide for orderly movement of traffic Increase traffic-handling capacity of intersection Reduce certain crashes Reduce gas consumption Reduce air & noise pollution Reduce motorist frustration (From the MUTCD) 2
Traffic Signals When We re Bad! When ill-designed, ineffectively placed, improperly operated, or poorly maintained, signals can cause: Excessive delay Excessive disobedience of the signal Traffic avoidance of signals Increase in crashes Road user distrust Yes, there is a signal way down the road. 3
Today s Agenda and Goals AGENDA VDOT Traffic Signal System Traffic Signals and VDOT s Goals Innovation and Partnerships in Action GOALS Share VDOT s signal innovation successes and the methods used Acknowledge challenges of traffic signal management Reinforce importance of collaborative partnerships Provide perspective for use in future opportunities 4
VDOT s Traffic Signal System ± 3,000 Traffic Signals National Traffic Signal Report Card 2012 National Grade: D+ VDOTs Grade: C Northwest Region ±350 signals Northern Region ± 1,380 signals Eastern Region ± 170 signals Southwest Region ± 360 signals Central Region ± 720 signals 5
VDOT s Traffic Signal System VDOT Signal Density Map 6
SWRO s Traffic Signal System SWRO Signal Density Map 7
SWRO s Traffic Signal System SWRO Crash Density Map 8
Traffic Signals & VDOT s Mission VDOT MISSION: Our mission is to plan, deliver, operate and maintain a transportation system that is safe, enables easy movement of people and goods, enhances the economy and improves our quality of life. Plan Safety Deliver Operate Mobility Maintain Operations Support
VDOT Field Signal Teams Engineering Operations Resources and Business Support Maintenance
VDOT Agency Signal Team
Stakeholder Partnerships
Stakeholder Partnerships Road User Location & Design Maintenance Fiscal Construction Materials Policy Operation Division
Traffic Signal Innovation Business Practices Resources Technology Engineering and Maintenance Law of Diffusion of Innovation 14
Eastern Region: Innovation & Partnerships Adaptive Signals Inter-Agency Partnerships
MUTCD Compliance Evaluations Central Region: Innovation & Partnerships
Northwest Region: Innovation & Partnerships Signal Performance Measures (Utah DOT) Adaptive Signal Local Partnerships
Northern Region: Innovation & Partnerships Adaptive Signal Technology Evaluation Signal Contracting (Engineering, Operation & Maintenance)
Innovation: Business Practices Clearance intervals (TE-306.1) Significant work effort Multiple delivery vehicles Refined business practices and roles Not a line in the sand Implementation at 94% 19
Innovation: Resources Hi-visibility backplates FHWA Older Driver Best Practice and Proven Safety Countermeasure Projected crash reductions: 15% (total crashes), 29% (fatal/injury crashes) B/C of 10 Improved material for asset management Late 2015- Maintenance force installation on 129 intersections Early 2015-Pilot at 5 intersections 20
Innovation: Technology Adaptive traffic signals 3 systems in place, with 1 more coming on-line in 2015 Balance objectives Strategic planning and outreach 21
Innovation: Engineering & Maintenance FYA retrofits B/C greater than 11 Innovative design and construction delivery Extensive engineering, maintenance and operations partnership Initial pilot at 3 intersections HSIP retrofit of 91 intersections 2010 2013 2014 2015 Safety countermeasure at 3 intersections Installing to convert from protected only phasing 22
Innovation: Engineering & Maintenance Number of Crashes FYA Installation 23
Traffic Signal Innovations to Come Business Practices Document decisions efficiently Leverage available data to support decisions Resources Identify and seek alt. funding opportunities Ensure the signal workforce (engineers, operators, maintenance) is prepared for future challenges Technology State-of-the-art controller, cabinet & central system More real-time operational functionalities Engineering and Maintenance Integrate multi-modal features and functionalities Promote common sense engineering for traffic signals Mobility Safety Operations 24
VDOT s Traffic Signal Program - Innovation & Partnerships Contacts Anne K.C. Booker, P.E., PTOE SW Assistant Regional Traffic Engineer Anne.booker@vdot.virginia.gov 540-375-0143 Ritchie Robbins, P.E., PTOE Senior Signal System Engineer Don.robbins@vdot.virginia.gov 804-371-2536 25