MassDOT deploys adaptive traffic control

Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has selected Trafficware’s SynchroGreen for the State’s first adaptive signal system. With traffic engineering involvement from consulting firm VHB, the new system was activated earlier this year. Video cameras located at the intersection provide real-time traffic volumes information to on-street traffic controllers. The system then uses a centralised command and control server to process this volume/occupancy data to analyse and dynamically adjust p
July 1, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
7213 Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has selected 5642 Trafficware’s SynchroGreen for the State’s first adaptive signal system.  With traffic engineering involvement from consulting firm VHB, the new system was activated earlier this year.

Video cameras located at the intersection provide real-time traffic volumes information to on-street traffic controllers.  The system then uses a centralised command and control server to process this volume/occupancy data to analyse and dynamically adjust phase timings, offsets and cycle lengths continuously in real time.  This results in signal timings that adjust every cycle to the fluctuating demands of traffic volumes to optimise the flow of traffic.

SynchroGreen also provides users with the option of default settings or providing more detailed inputs to refine the system operation, offering a level of flexibility that allows system to be deployed in both smaller cities where there are little local resources to manage the system, or in larger cities, where there may be specific traffic dynamics that require a more tailored approach.

The system was deployed on a common bypass route where unpredictable traffic demand occurred, where backups caused substantial queuing onto the freeway. Commented Alan Deditch, president of Highway Tech, provider of on-street system support:  “SynchroGreen was the perfect solution to respond to the influx of traffic and we have already seen a significant improvement,” added Deditch.
UTC

Related Content

  • February 3, 2012
    Cooperative infrastructure systems waiting for the go ahead
    Despite much research and technological promise, progress towards cooperative infrastructure system deployment is still slow. Here, Robert Cone and John Miles take a considered look at how and when it might come about. From a systems engineering viewpoint it looks logical and inevitable that vehicles should be communicating between themselves and with the road infrastructure. But seen from a business viewpoint the case is not proven.
    Read More
  • February 25, 2015
    Substantial savings from smarter street lighting
    As authorities strive to reduce expenditure and carbon emissions, Colin Sowman looks at some of the smart ways of managing street lighting while containing costs and maintaining safety. Street lighting can account for 40% of an authority’s energy consumption. So, faced with the need to reduce outgoings, some authorities are looking for smart ways of managing street lighting or even turning off swathes of street lights in the small hours. Back in 2008 the E-street Initiative report concluded that authorities
    Read More
  • March 12, 2021
    Siemens influences congestion reduction
    When it comes to reducing congestion, even relatively small interventions can have significant and positive knock-on effects, suggests Steve O’Sullivan of Siemens Mobility
    Read More
  • July 13, 2017
    Nevada pilot program aims to reduce road crashes, traffic congestion
    The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) and Waycare, a predictive analytics platform for smart cities, are to implement a pilot program that is intended to help prevent traffic crashes and congestion.
    Read More

Highlighted Content