Skip to main content

Benefits of SMART Signal system

Developed by researchers led by civil engineering associate professor Henry Liu at the University of Minnesota, the SMART Signal (Systematic Monitoring of Arterial Road Traffic Signals) system is said to be reducing congestion on roads controlled by traffic lights. The system automatically collects and processes data from traffic signal controllers at multiple intersections. It then creates performance measures, including information on the times and locations congestion occurs on a given road. Traffic eng
October 17, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Developed by researchers led by civil engineering associate professor Henry Liu at the University of Minnesota, the SMART Signal (Systematic Monitoring of Arterial Road Traffic Signals) system is said to be reducing congestion on roads controlled by traffic lights.

The system automatically collects and processes data from traffic signal controllers at multiple intersections. It then creates performance measures, including information on the times and locations congestion occurs on a given road.  Traffic engineers can use these measures to determine whether signals are properly timed and to monitor the overall performance of the system.

SMART Signal has been deployed at more than thirty intersections in Minnesota and six intersections in Pasadena, California.

According to Steven Misgen, metro traffic engineer at the 2103 Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), the system also has benefits for the travelling public, including reduced congestion and improved travel time throughout a given corridor.

“As a result, they’ll have a better quality of life, [spending] less time sitting in congested intersections,” Misgen says.

A new video from the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Institute highlights the benefits of the system: %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal www.its.umn.edu/Research/FeaturedStudies/smartsignals/index.html#SMARTSignal Smart signals false http://www.its.umn.edu/Research/FeaturedStudies/smartsignals/index.html#SMARTSignal false false%>

Related Content

  • August 11, 2014
    Iteris demonstrates advanced traffic monitoring
    Iteris, specialist in traffic management solutions that measure, manage and inform, to guide better decision making, will use the ITS World Congress Detroit to highlight advanced applications for arterial and freeway performance monitoring; vehicle and bicycle detection; data analytics; systems integration; and traveller information. The company will have three kiosks, directly across from the Traffic Management Center, providing demonstrations of VantageNext, iPeMS as well as advanced traveller information
  • April 22, 2013
    Open Roads updates Alaska’s 511 website and wins Virginia contract
    Open Roads and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) have introduced a new version of the 511 Traveler Information Website
  • February 13, 2015
    Copenhagen light rail JV appointed
    Copenhagen metro operator Metroselkabet has appointed Arup as part of a joint venture with Rambøll to develop the light rail on ring 3 for greater Copenhagen. The new light rail system includes a double track alignment of 27 kilometres and 27 stations with a rolling stock fleet of 27 light rail vehicles. This major project was planned to promote the use of public transport as well as encourage the urban development along the route and the passage across the city to avoid interchanging in the centre.
  • April 11, 2014
    TRA 2014 Transport Research Arena
    TRA 2014 is to be held in Paris for the first time, showcasing French and European innovations for more efficient transport. The latest technological innovations will be on show in Paris from 14 to 17 April at CNIT - La Défense, providing an opportunity for all European stakeholders in transport research and innovation to exchange ideas and experiences about the latest scientific breakthroughs, to think about specific real-life applications and to discuss their research needs in order to guide the future