Traffic Signal Timing Optimization Program

 

 

Why?
Traffic Signals can and do affect our lives each and every day. Commuters in Houston encounter traffic signals in nearly every route they travel; and although signalized intersection are in place for increased safety, they are often a source of delay and frustration. Outdated poor signal timings make your commute even more hectic and unpredictable.

Traffic Signal Timing Optimization is a very cost effective way to improve the flow of traffic along a specific corridor. By retiming existing traffic signals to current traffic patterns, the efficiency of each intersection will increase dramatically. Improved traffic flow equates to reduced intersection delays, lower air pollution/vehicular emissions, and reduced gasoline consumption. These positive benefits mean commuters save time and money!

City of Houston's Solution - TSTOP
Houston has over 2,000 signalized intersections maintained and operated by the city. The Public Works and Engineering Department's Traffic Signal Timing Optimization Program (TSTOP) is a coordinated effort between many agencies to ensure the city's traffic signals are using the latest up to date traffic data; all the while taking advantage of the most recent technologies to produce new customized signal timings. The central approach of TSTOP is to provide an optimized level of traffic signal operation on the city's most heavily traveled corridors and throughout some of its most heavily populated employment areas.

The Traffic Signal Engineering and Operations Section, housed at Houston's TRANSTAR facility, is the program management group for TSTOP. Their program management function consists of several aspects including:

Initial plan development - defining the scope/corridors/zones/time schedules, etc. Ensuring the adherence of all implementation "roll outs" to the program schedule. Serving as the liaison between multiple working agencies. Ensuring proper quality assurance/quality control measures.

In addition to providing the program management for TSTOP, the Traffic Signal Engineering and Operations Section is responsible for developing signal optimization plans for all of the selected zones. Their role in this process consists of field data collection, timing plan design, and signal timing implementation.

TSTOP successfully completed its first two phases in 2004 and 2005. This program was the result of Mayor White's desire to proactively address traffic signal synchronization issues in the City of Houston. This effort was initially a 2-phase program that began on January 2004 (Phase 1) and concluded on December 2005 (Phase 2). In all, TSTOP 2004 affected 1,540 traffic signals on 85 specified corridors. TSTOP 2005 affected 582 traffic signals distributed in 9 zones which integrate 71 critical corridors throughout the City.

TSTOP - 2006/2007 and Future TSTOP's
The Traffic Signal Engineering and Operations Section continues to improve the operation of all Houston signalized intersections on a 4-year rotational program. This means that each signal within the City of Houston will be retimed every four years. Between 500 and 600 traffic signals will be evaluated and optimized each year starting on 2006. All traffic signals will be continuously monitored in order to assure quality and control throughout the City.

In TSTOP 2006/2007, signal timing optimization continues with the following zones: Spur 527 Area – 70 Traffic Signals Texas Medical Center Area – 98 Traffic Signals South West Area – 180 Traffic Signals Lockwood Area – 40 Traffic Signals Memorial Area – 95 Traffic Signals Airline Area – 54 Traffic Signals Navigation Area – 70 Traffic Signals

All these zones will be optimized, integrating adjacent intersections in order to establish a network operation model that works well with the major corridors in each zone. Each year the city will rotate various zones to cover all areas on a continual basis. 2007-2008 will include mostly northwest and south Houston zones. 2008-2009 will include north and outer southeast Houston zones. 2009-2010 will include west and east Houston zones. The need for good traffic signal operation has never been greater. Traffic congestion is a major issue for Houstonians, making signal timing optimization an excellent investment with great benefits for our cities future traffic operations.

CLICK HERE for Houston Transtar- The Transportation and Emergency Management Center.

CLICK HERE for City Traffic Signal Timing Optimization Program Map 2006-2010.

CLICK HERE for Timing Optimization 2008-09 Uptown-West Zone .

CLICK HERE for Timing Optimization 2008-09 Clear Lake Zone .

CLICK HERE for Timing Optimization 2008-09 North Zone .