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Signal Patterns for Improving Light Rail Operation

Signal Patterns for Improving Light Rail Operation. Wintana Miller, Associate Transportation Engineer With Mark Madden, P.E., P.T.O.E. DKS Associates. Signal Patterns for Improving Light Rail Operation. Transportation in Tacoma Initial Pilot Project Update to Project Signal Timing

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Signal Patterns for Improving Light Rail Operation

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  1. Signal Patterns for Improving Light Rail Operation Wintana Miller, Associate Transportation Engineer With Mark Madden, P.E., P.T.O.E. DKS Associates

  2. Signal Patterns for Improving Light Rail Operation Transportation in Tacoma Initial Pilot Project Update to Project Signal Timing What’s Next

  3. Transportation in Tacoma

  4. Downtown Tacoma

  5. Tacoma Link Light Rail

  6. Initial Pilot Project

  7. Initial Pilot Project Parties Involved Problems Found Methodology Challenges

  8. Parties Involved City of Tacoma Sound Transit Pierce Transit DKS Associates – Technical Advisers

  9. Problems Found Periodic Gridlock Train Headways: 10 minutes (600 seconds) Signal Cycle Length: 70 seconds Potential Solution: Coordinate Train and Signal Operation

  10. Coordinating Train and Signal Operations Main Objectives: • Compatible cycles = repetitive operation • Same time base = predictable action across systems • Predictable train travel times

  11. Project Method • Picking a Compatible Cycle Length • 100 second cycle • Synchronized Clocks • US Official Time: Atomic Clock in Colorado Springs • Sound Transit Train Data • Set Train Schedule

  12. Time Space Diagram

  13. Remaining Challenges External Logic Allowed for One Timing Plan Conservative dwell times Unable to use check out detectors No event plans or seasonal variations

  14. Signal System Upgrades? City of Tacoma in the process of upgrading signal system New signal system has been selected Fine tuning LRT operations

  15. Project Update

  16. New Signal Pattern Development New Plan Needed New Light Rail Parameters New Traffic Signal Parameters Unique Phasing for Preempts

  17. Need for New Plans Driven by New Station Construction New Station in Place Before New Controllers

  18. New Light Rail Parameters Train Headways Train Travel Times Station Dwell Times

  19. New Traffic Signal Parameters • New Headway  New Cycle Lengths • 90 seconds • New Pedestrian Timing (per 2009 MUTCD) • Decreased walking speed from 4.0 ft/sec to 3.5 ft/sec

  20. Unique Phasing for Preempts

  21. Commerce St Phasing Normally two phases Train preempt activate left turn phase Avoiding the left turn trap

  22. What’s Next? Support 120 second cycle length Shorter dwell times during off-peak hours Longer dwell times for special events

  23. Thank You

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