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Charlie Wetzel , PE, PTOE County Traffic Engineer Seminole County Florida

Charlie Wetzel , PE, PTOE County Traffic Engineer Seminole County Florida. Marshall Cheek , PE, PTOE Traffic Engineer Trafficware. Outline . Who is Seminole County? County Operations Philosophy Why SynchroGreen? Benefits Basics SynchroGreen Analysis Web Interface

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Charlie Wetzel , PE, PTOE County Traffic Engineer Seminole County Florida

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  1. Charlie Wetzel, PE, PTOE • County Traffic Engineer • Seminole County Florida • Marshall Cheek, PE, PTOE • Traffic Engineer • Trafficware

  2. Outline • Who is Seminole County? • County Operations Philosophy • Why SynchroGreen? • Benefits • Basics • SynchroGreen Analysis • Web Interface • SR 436 Project • Future Projects • Questions

  3. Who is Seminole County? • County located between Orange County (Orlando), Volusia County (Daytona Beach) and Brevard County (Cocoa Beach) • Population: 422,718 (2010) • Area: 345 sq. miles • 7 Cities • Varying traffic – tourists, events, retail

  4. Who is Seminole County? • Traffic signals – own/partially own 240, maintain 370 (all but 7 in the County) • Communications – 99% with comm., 33 signals on radio, rest on fiber (350+ miles), 4 with no comm. • Detection – primarily loops, 8 with full video, 12 with partial video (adaptive project) • Controller equipment – Naztec NEMA TS2, ATMS.Now central software

  5. Who is Seminole County? • Traffic Engineering Division – 33 people, 2 PEs • Signal Section – 9 technicians • Fiber Section – 7 technicians (including 1 locator) • Retiming activities – goal once every 3 years, funding: $190k from MPO, $150k from County funds • Countywide travel-time study conducted annually • Annual Budget : • Division - $4.8M O&M, $1.5M Capital Projects (penny sales tax) • Signal Section - $2M O&M (includes salaries, $150k retiming) • Fiber Section - $800k O&M • ATMS Grants (MPO/FDOT) - $3M in 1999, $4M in 2011

  6. County Operations Philosophy • Department Vision – “Successfully provide a multi-modal transportation system that addresses the needs of the citizens of Seminole County by enhancing mobility, maximizing alternative funding sources, maintaining a safe and efficient transportation system and improving water quality.” • Number 1 need – secure dedicated source of funding for transportation following expiration of 1 cent sales tax in 2011. • Operations constraints – manpower and funding • O&M Policies – 2 hr response to priority 1 trouble calls (averaging 30 minutes), 24 hr initial response to citizen complaint, follow-up ASAP

  7. Why SynchroGreen? • Looking for alternatives to TOD plans – varying traffic, pedestrian and pre-emption issues • Waiting for developments in adaptive, as opposed to going responsive • Only other adaptive in the area is SCOOTS in Orange County (mixed results) • Familiar with Trafficware - we use SynchroTM and SimTrafficTM • Learned that Naztec and Trafficware wanted to team up and we offered to implement and test the first SynchroGreen system

  8. Benefits of SynchroGreen • Utilizes standard NTCIP • No hardware – no “black box” or anything needing FDOT approval • Uses SynchroGreen “MIB” inside the controller • Adjusts signal timings based on real-time traffic • Can use existing infrastructure (controllers, detection) • Can turn on/off by time-of-day • Will revert to time-of-day plan when off or loss of comm. • Considers overall network delay; not just main street

  9. SynchroGreen Basics • Uses central WindowsTM based PC or server • Collects detector data from local intersections • Occupancy (stop bar detection) • Platoon behavior/distribution (free flow detection) • Communications via Ethernet • Performs calculations to determine optimal timing parameters • Uploads timings and continues to monitor local intersections

  10. SynchroGreen Basics • Can turn on/off adaptive mode instantly • Local controller setup is minimal (existing settings remain – phase and clearance times) • SynchroGreen does not modify sequences; this is handled by background time of day sequences • Detection can be any reliable technology • Inductive loops, Video, Wireless, Radar

  11. Optimization Strategies • SynchroGreen Balanced Mode • Minimizes network delay • SynchroGreen Progression Mode • Favors progression along the corridor • SynchroGreen Critical Movement Mode • Focuses on critical movements, while minimizing delay

  12. Optimization Engines • Phase Allocation (splits) are determined by: • Green Utilization • Detector Calibration Factor • Period (cycle) • Start Time (offset) adjusted based on platoon behavior/distribution

  13. Detection • Stop bar • All lanes must have stop bar detection • Advanced (free flow) • Advanced detection on main street only • Behind 85th percentile queue • Detection must be reliable • SynchroGreen can identify inaccuracies • SynchroGreen can correct inaccuracies

  14. Analysis - Phase Allocation • Phase allocation is calculated in real-time • Occupancy during effective green is green utilization • Green utilization creates target phase allocation TARGET PHASE ALLOCATION SYNCHROGREEN (SELECTED PERIOD) ACTUAL PHASE ALLOCATION

  15. Analysis - Periods • “Period” between green bands • Cycle-less Operation • Changes based on system demand • Minimize time between successive green bands • Selected period determines actual phase allocation TARGET PHASE ALLOCATION SYNCHROGREEN (SELECTED PERIOD) ACTUAL PHASE ALLOCATION

  16. Analysis - Start Time • Green band start time • Transition-less adjustment • Start time recalculates due to: • Period changes • Traffic flow changes • Lag Time • Reacts to queues • Reacts to platoon arrival • Advanced detectors allow adjustment

  17. Interface • Easy interface • Simple inputs

  18. Interface • Monitor adaptive status STARTUP MONITOR

  19. Simulation • Can model adaptive traffic control • Integrates with SynchroTM and SimTrafficTM • Calibrate adaptive settings before deployment • Compare adaptive system to TOD operation

  20. SR 436 Project • 12 Signalized Intersections on State Road 436 • Previously actuated/coordinated system • 1.7 miles • 59,600 ADT • Heavy Pedestrian Activity (>1,100 peds/day) • Preemption requests (>150 requests/day) • Challenging corridor to test SynchroGreen

  21. SR 436 Deployment

  22. SR 436 Deployment • Deployed May 2011 • Naztec 980 TS2 Controllers • Used existing inductive loops (side streets and left turns) • Installed new video detection (main street stop bar and advanced) • Received in-field training on operation and calibration

  23. SR 436 Before/After Study • Travel Time (AM: -6%, MD: -26%, PM: -12%) • Delay (AM: -12%, MD: -42%, PM: -19%) • Stops (AM: -25%, MD: -36%, PM: -20%) • Side-street Delay (-19% ave. at 2 sample locations) • Environmental MOEs • Fuel consumption (AM: -10%, MD: -22%, PM: -12%) • HC, CO, NOx Emissions – similar to other results • All determined using Tru-Traffic, with exception of side-street (HCM)

  24. SR 436 Results AM 150 -> 142 MD 160 -> 141 PM 200 -> 155

  25. SR 436 Project Summary • Traffic conditions were difficult; however, SynchroGreen showed improved operations (decreased travel time, delay and stops) • Greatest improvements during non-peak periods • Significant improvements for pedestrian and pre-emption transitions • We are still experimenting with the system. • Many options haven’t been tried yet (start time modifications, different mode types, calibration using Synchro and SimTraffic) • Working with Trafficware for more user options and enhanced web interface • Expanding SR 436 by 4 additional signals

  26. SynchroGreen Costs • Base price - $13,500 per intersection • Initial Corridor Setup/Training – Varies depending on # signals/complexity, available Synchro models, etc. ($5k to $12k) • Extras: • Additional training (estimate $7,500) • Server (estimate $8k) • Before/after studies (estimate $5k) • Detection (varies)

  27. Future Projects • Implementing on other corridors (Lake Mary Blvd, SR 46, CR 46A, US 17/92 and other sections of SR 436). • Installing at 43 additional locations using our $4M grant • Considering alternate detection methods (wireless, loops) • New loop standard in the County to accommodate adaptive • Working with Bluetooth technology to monitor the corridor

  28. Questions or Comments • Charlie Wetzel, PE, PTOE • cwetzel@seminolecountyfl.gov • Marshall Cheek, PE, PTOE • marshallcheek@trafficware.com

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