Skip to main content

New Mexico installs its first adaptive signal system

Work has begun on a US$343,000 project to install the first adaptive signal control system in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, to improve traffic flow along Alameda Boulevard, which has one of the highest traffic flows in the county. The system is a designated set of traffic signals that effectively communicate with each other and adapt to the traffic flow, reducing the frequency of red lights when traffic volume is high to improve overall traffic flow. County commissioner Lonnie Talbert said: “Up to 50,000 v
May 24, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Work has begun on a US$343,000 project to install the first adaptive signal control system in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, to improve traffic flow along Alameda Boulevard, which has one of the highest traffic flows in the county.

The system is a designated set of traffic signals that effectively communicate with each other and adapt to the traffic flow, reducing the frequency of red lights when traffic volume is high to improve overall traffic flow.

County commissioner Lonnie Talbert said: “Up to 50,000 vehicles per day travel along Alameda.  This system will improve their overall travel time on a daily basis.”

The county will install video detection cameras and the program software for the adaptive signal control system at seven major intersections to collect real-time traffic flow information. The information will be used to optimise the signal timing based on real-time traffic conditions throughout the day. Peak hour traffic flow will be improved by adjusting the green times to improve overall traffic flow while not significantly increasing the wait times on the side streets.

The recent installation of thousands of feet of fibre-optic cable helped to establish the county’s own infrastructure for voice and data communications, which will allow the county to remotely operate and monitor the system from its traffic operations office.

The system is expected to be fully activated by the beginning of September.

Related Content

  • February 2, 2012
    Bluetooth speed and travel data collection shows cost savings
    Houston TranStar is using Bluetooth sensors to collect speed and travel data in a project which is already demonstrating significant cost savings
  • March 15, 2012
    Enforcement suppliers highlight industry best practice
    Major suppliers of enforcement technology highlight the countries, regions or cities that they consider to be leading the way in reduction of road traffic violations. The French government’s ambitious programme of enforcing traffic law violations has proven to be an unrivalled success and is continuing to bring improvements in road safety with innovative enforcement technology.
  • July 19, 2017
    Siemens introduces new software for “talking” traffic intersections
    The city of Abilene, Texas, in the US is using new adaptive traffic control software from Siemens to increase traffic flow along a heavily travelled corridor, where two state highways meet at two intersections about 750 feet apart with elevated railroads passing between them. SEPAC Peer-to-Peer software allows intersection controllers to share information with one another on traffic and pedestrian conditions, allowing the on-street network of controllers to adaptively respond to changing traffic conditions
  • July 19, 2017
    Siemens introduces new software for “talking” traffic intersections
    The city of Abilene, Texas, in the US is using new adaptive traffic control software from Siemens to increase traffic flow along a heavily travelled corridor, where two state highways meet at two intersections about 750 feet apart with elevated railroads passing between them. SEPAC Peer-to-Peer software allows intersection controllers to share information with one another on traffic and pedestrian conditions, allowing the on-street network of controllers to adaptively respond to changing traffic conditions