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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