Adaptive Traffic Control Systems
Introduction
Traffic Adaptive Systems provide traffic signal timing that efficiently changes based on traffic conditions and maximizes the traffic flow. Traffic Adaptive Systems are different from Traffic Responsive Systems (also known as Closed Loop Systems) because they do not rely on previously determined traffic timing thresholds. Traffic Adaptive Systems typically have detectors that gather traffic information and use of algorithms to logically adjust the signal timing based upon the current traffic demand. Traffic Adaptive Systems provides the Department with opportunities to begin to use technology to effectively manage key traffic signal corridors.
Systems Engineering Diagram
Systems Engineering Page
Benefits
The Traffic Adaptive Systems are a proven technology with the following primary benefits:
1. Improve highway capacity operations through the reduction of delay, number of stops, and corridor progression through the use of Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT)
2. Allow a traffic signal corridor to adapt immediately to traffic demands while improving congestion
3. Potentially reduce the amount of crashes by improving traffic signal timing
4. Potentially reduce the amount of lost benefits (greenhouse gas reduction and gas consumption) by not implementing a Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT)
5. Allows real timing benefits instead of the nationally recommended 3 to 5 year recommendations suggested by FHWA in the Traffic Signal Timing Manua
