HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-12-08; City Council; 22160; Traffic Signal Program CIP UpdateTraffic Signal C/P Updates
12/08/15
Page2 of4
1. Constructed the new Traffic Management Center (TMC) in 2013
2. Created a reliable wireless communications network linking the traffic signals to the TMC in 2014
3. Upgraded the emergency vehicle pre-emption system used by the Fire department in 2015
4. Upgraded the battery back-up system that powers traffic signals during power outages in 2015
5. Upgraded video detection cameras and other essential traffic signal equipment in 2012
6. Implemented signal modifications at six important intersections in 2014
7. Adjusted signal operations to meet traffic engineering standards (e.g., yellow and all-red
indications, pedestrian WALK/DON'T WALK times) in 2011
8. Improved "FREE" operations during light traffic (e.g., responsive operations at midnight so that
side streets are instantly served when no conflicting traffic is observed) in 2011
9. Developed signal timing plans for a.m. and p.m. peak-hour traffic for the major corridors and
reduced travel times by roughly 20 percent in 2015
The new TMC improves service to our community by enabling staff to proactively and cost effectively
improve traffic flow. Staff now monitors traffic conditions from the TMC and remotely adjusts the signal
operations, avoiding the cost and time of maintenance contractors driving out to the site to evaluate
and resolve issues. This was especially valuable during the desalination pipeline project where work zone
conditions changed at a moment's notice and staff quickly adjusted operations to keep traffic flowing.
The new battery back-up systems keep traffic signals operating longer during power outages
(approximately one extra hour), in time for the anticipated El Nino conditions.
This project also supports the goal of complete streets that calls for roadways to be designed for the
safety of all users. For example, the upgraded signal equipment reduced emergency response times and
now blocks illegal transmitters that were causing unsafe conditions for drivers. The video cameras that
detect autos also do an exceptional job detecting bicyclists so that they can safely negotiate through
intersections. The city also installed new "countdown" signal indicators at busy intersections to show
pedestrians the time remaining to safely cross the street.
Staff improved the overall traffic signal operations that reduced the number of citywide collisions at
signalized intersections. There was an average of 290 collisions reported at signalized intersections
before this CIP project commenced, and that statistic has consistent.ly declined each year to 230
collisions recorded last year; on average there is one less collision reported at signalized intersections
each week as a result of this CIP project. New signal timing plans were implemented by the consultant
team and improved traffic flows and reduced travel times in the a.m. and p.m. peak hours when
commuters are the primary users of the roadway system. The "coordinated" signal operations efficiently
manage traffic flow under these conditions because mainline traffic is consistently heavy and there is a
clear travel pattern. Peak hour traffic flows were improved by the signal timing plans along the following
corridors: Cannon Road, El Camino Real, Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad Village Drive, Rancho Santa Fe
Road, Faraday Avenue, and College Boulevard.
NEXT STEPS
Staff has been monitoring recent advances in traffic controller technology and recommends starting
Phase II of the CIP project to implement an automatic monitoring system and conduct a pilot project for
2
Traffic Signal CIP Updates
12/08/15
Page3 of4
new "adaptive" traffic signal operations. The new adaptive system can quickly respond to the constantly
changing traffic volumes and inconsistent travel patterns experienced during the mid-day conditions.
This will resolve the most common source of traffic complaints from our customers. The pilot project will
evaluate claims that adaptive signal operations mean that drivers traveling on the main corridor can
expect coordinated green lights, while the system will break out of this coordinated mode whenever
there is no mainline traffic to quickly serve vehicles waiting on the side street and at left turn pockets.
Staff did not include new adaptive signal controllers as part of the original scope for this project because
at the time there were concerns that the new equipment had reliability and liability issues. Phase II work
includes installing a new traffic monitoring system so that staff can automatically and continuously
measure travel times avoiding costly travel time runs. As part of this work the wireless communications
network on primary arterials will be upgraded to fiber optic links from the TMC located in the Faraday
Building to the intersection of El Camino Real and Dove Ln. The adaptive traffic signal equipment is
planned to be a new mitigation measure that will be part of the city's innovative approach to addressing
the traffic impacts of proposed development. Staff expects to complete the following Phase II tasks by
December 2016:
1. Upgrade communications network from existing wireless to fiber optic between the Faraday
Building to the intersection of El Camino Real and Dove Ln using existing conduit
2. Install automated traffic monitoring systems at 50 signalized intersections
3. Conduct a pilot project to evaluate the effectiveness of adaptive traffic signal operations
4. Report back to City Council on the effectiveness of the pilot project and recommendations on
potential citywide adaptive signal operations
Throughout this CIP project Carlsbad is installing smart infrastructure to be ready for the future and
leading the way towards the next generation of cars (i.e., increasingly automated vehicles). The new
traffic signal infrastructure will soon be able to communicate information to drivers in Carlsbad that use
"connected vehicles" and transmit important traffic information to address questions such as: What
route should I take? How can I avoid dangerous conditions ahead? What speed is recommended to
reduce stops and catch green lights?
This comprehensive and innovative CIP project has Carlsbad well positioned to take full advantage of
emerging technology so that the traffic signal program is ready for the future.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None. The work proposed as part of Phase II will use the balance of existing funds already allocated to
this CIP project. The Phase II work will be included in the CIP budget reporting for FY 2015-16.
3
Traffic Signal C/P Updates
12/08/15
Page4of4
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21065, this action does not constitute a "project" within the
meaning of CEQA in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment,
or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and therefore does not require
environmental review.
EXHIBITS:
None.
4
SMART Travel Options
New Traffic Signal Program
By Doug Bilse, T.E.
Jason Stack, STC Consulting
5 Years Ago
•No traffic signal management program
•170 signalized intersections= $30M asset
•Reactive maintenance
•No communication
•Not reliable
2
3
Item Grade
Management C-
Signal Timing Practices C-
Traffic Signal Operations:Isolated Intersections D+
Traffic Signal Operations:Corridors F
Traffic Monitoring and Data Collection C-
Maintenance D
TOTAL D+
2011 FHWA Report Card
CIP Project: $5.7M
State of the Art Traffic Signal Program
•Traffic Management Center (TMC)
•Link signals to TMC
•Strategic upgrades for future technology
•Overhaul maintenance contract
Projects Completed
Laptop based TMC
Wireless communication network
Video system upgraded
Battery back-up
Emergency vehicle preemption
Peak-hour signal timing plans
How Was Success Defined?
We want a SMART Traffic Signal Program:
•Safe
•Measurable
•Accountable
•Reliable
•Traffic Flow
SMART Benefits to Our Community -Safety
•Safer signal operations
•Reduced emergency response times
•Signals operate longer during power outages
•Improved detection at signals for autos and bikes
Item 2011
Grade
2016
Grade
Management C-A-
Signal Timing Practices C-A
Traffic Signal Operations:Isolated Intersections D+A
Traffic Signal Operations:Corridors F C+
Traffic Monitoring and Data Collection C-B
Maintenance D A-
TOTAL D+A-
SMART Benefits to Our Community -Measurable
SMART Benefits to Our Community –Accountable
•Carlsbad Community Vision
–Enhance mobility through increased connectivity and intelligent transportation
•City Council Priority Project
–Use innovation and technology to provide new/better ways of doing business
•Organizational Values
–Good stewards of our community’s resources
•Strategic Focus Area
–Complete and livable streets provide for safety of all users
SMART Benefits to Our Community -Reliability
•Proactive maintenance program
•Fewer complaints
•Improved peak hour and off-peak traffic flow
•Construction zones
•Connected to the EOC
13
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
2-DAY AVGERAGE TOTAL VOLUME15 MINUTE TIME INTERVAL
Daily Traffic in 15-Minute Intervals
El Camino Real Near La Costa Avenue
SMART Benefits to Our Community -Traffic Flow
Off-Peak
Peak Hour
Mid-Day
Improved Peak Hour Traffic Flow
14
Corridor 2011
Score
2015
Score
Improvement
(reduced travel time)
ECR:
PAR to La Costa
70 97 3.5 minutes
PAR:
I-5 to Melrose
69 96 2.0 minutes
15
What’s Left to Solve?Item 2011
Grade
2015
Grade
Management C-A-
Signal Timing Practices C-A
Traffic Signal Operations:
Isolated Intersections D+A
Traffic Signal Operations:
Corridors F C+
Traffic Monitoring and
Data Collection C-B
Maintenance D A-
TOTAL D+A-
•Midday traffic volume is
inconsistent with no clear
pattern: Adaptive
•Need a way to measure
traffic flow and travel
patterns in real time: Traffic
Measurement System
Project Status
Category Funds
CIP Project $5.7M
Spent to date $4.5M
Remaining Funds $1.2M
Phase II: Go Adaptive
Category Funds
Fiber Optic Upgrades $350,000
Traffic Measuring System $250,000
Adaptive Signal Pilot Project $600,000
Remaining Funds $1.2M
Questions
18
Building a Road to the Future
•Smart cars
•Connected vehicles
•Driver assisted vehicles
•Increasingly Automated Vehicles (AV)
Total Project Cost Breakdown
Project Cost Percent
Equipment Costs $3,600,000 82%
Installation $700,000 15%
Design $200,000 3%
Total Cost $4,500,000 100%
Pre-Emption Project
21
Total CIP Expenditures
$4,470,000
$1.27M
$1.08M
$687K
$439K
$414K
$139K
$116K $111K
Communications
Video
Installation
Pre-emption
Battery Backup System
Design
Signal Modification
TMC
Traffic Signal Expenditures
Being a Leader
•Testbed for vendors
•Model for others to follow
•Teaming up with U.C. Riverside for pilot project
24
Moving Carlsbad Forward
25
Improved Options Without Limiting Choices
•Right turn overlap
•Melrose dual right
•Tamarack dual left
26