Columbus Computerized Traffic Signal System

1. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Where have we been? Where are we today? Where are we going? Eagan L. Foster, P.E. Transportation Division Columbus Public Service Department

2. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System • The Importance of Coordinated Traffic Signal Systems • Reduce congestion • Reduce accidents • Reduce aggressive driver behavior • Improve air quality / reduce fuel consumption • Postpone or eliminate the need for construction of additional capacity • Neighborhood traffic calming

3. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System • Columbus’s Coordinated Traffic Signal System • Late 1950’s • First capture of Federal monies • Civil Defense funding • Electromechanical controllers • “Open Loop” system • Cross-jurisdictional coordination in Bexley

5. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System • Columbus looked to improve the signal operations in the Central Business District • Early 1970’s • Federal money - TOPICS (Traffic Operations Program to Improve Capacity and Safety) • Central Control System • Coaxial Cable Interconnect and conduit • Closed-circuit Cameras - funding • Set model for development of future projects

8. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System • Columbus looked for an opportunity to capture additional funding for another signal system in the Northland area • Federal money - Demonstration program • Central Control System at Karl & Morse • System monitored from downtown office • Coaxial Cable Interconnect - aerial installation • City installed field devices by force account

10. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System • Columbus developed a project to replace the CBD system with a system capable of handling all the traffic signals (up to 1000) in Columbus and those in other jurisdictions • Early 1980’s • To be constructed in two phases • Federal funding • Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ) • Replace the existing CBD system • Replace the 1950’s electromechanical system

20. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Phase 10 is under construction • Local intersection equipment installed – Summer 2002 • Communications plant • Installation delayed due to utility rearrangement issues • Process changed three times during the project - adding 3 years to the project • Additional costs to the City • Now underway since June 2004

22. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Upcoming projects • Phase 11 • Final Tracings filed in September 2003 • Was programmed for sale in January 2006 • Phase 12 • Design • Consultant for project plan preparation • Design parameters changing due to CTSS study

26. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Upcoming projects • Phase 13 and Phase 14 proposed to begin replacement of portions of the system • Communications infrastructure dates to 1985 • New technology possible • Fiber-optic • Wireless • Replace Central Control System • Transition plan for using coaxial cable • System capable of interacting with other systems

27. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Closed Loop Systems • City proposed the first centrally-monitored Closed Loop Traffic Signal System • Federal-aid project sold in 1981 • Safetran Traffic Systems • Locations • Hamilton Road • Refugee Road • Henderson Road

28. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Closed Loop Systems • Later • Econolite • TCT (Traffic Control Technologies) • Current standard • Econolite Zone Master • Local communications • Twisted pair wire or fiber optic generally being used • Wireless –Hamilton Rd (SR-317 near US-33) • Eagle Actra Master • Local communications – wireless • Partnership with ODOT District Six

29. Polaris Pkwy

30. Polaris Pkwy

31. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System New Signal Control / Management System should have the following characteristics • Open Architecture • Interoperable with Other Planned Regional ITS Initiatives • Leverage the City’s Existing Infrastructure • Compatible with current controllers • Operate over coaxial communications media

32. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Columbus’s relationship to other agencies • Lead agency for coordination through CTSS • Interconnect Design • Operations • Monitoring Of Signals On The CTSS • Advise Agency Of Status Of Operation • Timing In Other Jurisdictions • Responsibility Of The Other Agency • City Implements Timing On The System

33. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Columbus’s relationship to other agencies • Lead agency for coordination through CTSS • Maintenance • Communications Infrastructure • Control Cabinet Communication Equipment • Agencies • Current - Bexley, Franklin County, Grandview Heights, Reynoldsburg, Valleyview, Whitehall • Groveport, ODOT (Closed Loop) • Future - Marble Cliff, Upper Arlington

34. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Columbus’s relationship to other agencies • Cooperative incident management with ODOT - Freeway Management System • Co-location with FMS in the City’s Traffic Management Center • Connection to Econolite Closed Loop System at Polaris Parkway • Future connection to other signal control systems

35. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Columbus’s relationship to other agencies • Cooperative cross-jurisdictional signal coordination • ODOT maintaining communications equipment for their signals and City signals in corridors • US-62/SR-3 between I-270 and Brown Road • SR-3 between Agler Road and Dempsey Road • US-33 between Nottingham Road and Riverside Green • Franklin County • Cleveland Avenue between Oakland Park and Ferris Road

36. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Columbus’s relationship to other agencies • General Maintenance Operations • Agencies • Columbus Airport Authority • Grandview Heights • Marble Cliff • Ohio State University • Valleyview • Whitehall

37. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Columbus CTSS Study • MORPC contract • Key Agencies - Financial Contribution - $20K each • City of Columbus • Franklin County Engineer • Central Ohio Transit Authority • Consultant Team • HNTB • Dave Hill, Project Manager, Arlington Virginia • DLZ, Ohio • Steve Jewell, Assistant Project Manager, Columbus

38. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Columbus CTSS Study – Final Draft Received • Control & Communication Recommendations • Replace Central Control System with a more Distributed System • Utilize existing coax for IP Communications • Utilize existing Eagle and Econolite Controllers to extend possible • Construct a new Communications Network • IP Communications Protocol • Fiber-optic SONET Rings – Resilient Packet Rings • Wireless Communications to local devices

39. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System

40. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Proposed Communications Network Backbone

41. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Proposed Communications Network Redesign of Phase 11 Project

42. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System

43. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Columbus CTSS Study – Final Draft Received • Other Recommendations • Timing Plan Development • Key to Success of CTSS • $2,500 to $3,000 per intersection typical (by consultant) • Staffing • Engineering & Data Collection • 75 signals per staff member • (increase from around 150 per staff member • Maintenance • 60 signals per technician • (increase from around 75 per tech)

44. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Future Direction for CTSS Development • Have Secured Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality Funding • Planning • Scope of Work to Include Which Features • Determine Optimum Phasing Sequence • Phase 13 – Begin Replacement of Existing System • New Central System • IP Communication at Existing Locations • Phase 11 – Extend System with New Communications • Phase 12 – Extend System with New Communications • Phase 14 – Communications Conversion • Determine Optimum Funding • How Fast Can Plans Be Produced?

45. Columbus ComputerizedTraffic Signal System Questions? • Eagan L. Foster, P.E., P.T.O.E Traffic Operations Engineer City of Columbus, Transportation Division 109 N. Front Street, Third Floor Columbus, OH 43215-9022 (614) 645-7738 elfoster@columbus.gov