HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-02; Traffic and Mobility Commission; ; Traffic Signal System UpdateMeeting Date: Oct. 2, 2023
To: Traffic and Mobility Commission
Staff Contact: Nestor Mangohig, Senior Engineer
Nestor.Mangohig@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2504
Subject: Traffic Signal System Update
Recommended Action
Receive a presentation and provide input to city staff on items related to the traffic signal
system network.
Background
The purpose of this presentation is to provide an update on the traffic signal system network.
Much of the recent focus on the traffic signal system has been specific to network upgrades
that would increase traffic signal data efficiency throughput and increase system security, while
also eliminating the occurrence of network outages experienced at the Traffic Management
Center, or TMC. The presentation will also provide an overview of signal operations at El
Camino Real & Arenal Road during emergency vehicle preemption as well as protected-
permissive operations of a Flashing Yellow Arrow, or FYA, signal.
Discussion
Traffic Signal Communications Network
When initially established, the city traffic signal communications network was comprised of a
combination of wireless radio and copper hardwire connections. All traffic signals that were in
communication with the TMC, were connected to a larger aggregated signal group that passed
through one or two wireless and solar repeaters. As the city upgraded its signal controller
technology, these repeaters became a constriction that could not allow all controllers to
transmit real-time traffic signal information.
Before the Carlsbad Digital Information Network, or CDIN, was established, several
departments transmitted their data between their central servers and field equipment on
independent networks, including the traffic signal system, utilities, police, etc. With the recent
implementation of the CDIN, the city’s Information Technology, or IT, Department has focused
on integration and upgrade of the various networks that were previously stand-alone. A major
feature of the CDIN is the utilization of fiber-optic communication technology to increase data
throughput and reliability.
Oct. 2, 2023 Item #3 Page 1 of 3
The following traffic communication network upgrades have been completed to improve traffic
signal system functionality and reliability:
•Connected the Aviara Park wireless repeater to a nearby park facility on fiber. This
eliminated the need to transmit to the Crossings golf course via wireless and solar
repeater. All signals transmitting to Aviara Park now return to the TMC on last leg fiber.
•Removed the wireless and solar repeater from the golf course and replaced with new
equipment now located at the Crossings golf course clubhouse. The clubhouse
equipment is on direct power. Since the clubhouse is on fiber, all signals transmitting to
the golf course now return to the TMC on last leg fiber.
•Redirected several traffic signal groups away from longer wireless connections to Aviara
Park or Crossing golf course repeaters to closer fiber connections.
•Migrated the server for the traffic signal central software system. This included creation
of new virtual servers with updated operating systems to improve performance and
increase security.
•Migrated Bluetooth reader devices to the new network.
•Rebuilt the video detection software viewer and moved devices to the new network.
•Reconfigured traffic signal and video detection devices from the legacy IP settings to the
current CDIN network settings. This improved performance and increased security.
Other projects either underway or identified as potential network improvement project are
described below:
•Interim cellular connections are being established for all traffic signal locations
previously offline due to the line-of-sight limitations. The cellular connections will be
replaced as future connections are established via high-speed wireless or fiber.
•The city is actively exploring opportunities to partner with residential fiber providers to
upgrade existing copper hardwire connections to fiber between traffic signals where
conduit exists.
•The city is actively exploring opportunities to bring back additional traffic signals on fiber
that are not in proximity to the current CDIN backbone.
Traffic Signal Operations
The communication network upgrades have allowed staff to fully utilize functionality of both
the traffic signal central software and the upgraded traffic controllers in the field. The following
tasks have been completed or are in process related to signal operations:
•Signal coordination timing is in operation for the morning and evening peak periods on
El Camino Real, Palomar Airport Road, and Rancho Santa Fe Road. Use of midday
coordination is under consideration.
•Carlsbad Village Drive, west of Interstate 5, or I-5, is currently running coordination
timing offset from the I-5/Carlsbad Village Drive northbound on/off-ramp signal.
Caltrans has updated their own central system and controllers which now keeps their
signal clocks current, making coordination possible.
Oct. 2, 2023 Item #3 Page 2 of 3
•El Camino Real, in the vicinity of State Route 78, or SR-78, Plaza Drive to Carlsbad Village
Drive, is currently running coordination timing offset from the SR-78 eastbound on/off-
ramp signal. City of Oceanside signals to the north of SR-78 are also working from the
same Caltrans offset. City of Oceanside recently upgraded its controller at El Camino
Real/Vista Way due to periodic malfunctions. The previous controller was not
consistently maintaining current time settings and would exacerbate traffic flow
conditions on the El Camino Real corridor during peak and saturated conditions.
•Staff is evaluating use of coordination timing on other corridors and/or intersections
groups.
•The traffic signal central system software, ATMS.now, was recently updated from v2.12
to v2.14. This is expected to address several bugs reported to the developer by city staff,
including the copy/paste grid function, and pedestrian displays on real-time scan, etc.
•Traffic signal controllers are currently running the Cubic Scout system with firmware
ranging from v80.4.2 to v85.3. With the rollout of the new ATMS.now, staff is testing the
stability and functionality of each version before considering upgrade of all devices to
the most up to date v85.x.
•Network communications upgrades have allowed real-time alerts to function more
reliably, e.g., notification when a signal goes into all-way flashing red operations, when a
signal controller is accessed, etc.
•Alert configurations are being evaluated to notify during missed detection and false
detection events.
•Bluetooth reader device settings are being reconfigured to provide more usable vehicle
feedback.
•Big data analytics platform is being tested to view historical travel patterns and other
data insights.
•Detection upgrades on primary corridors is being evaluated. The city’s predominant
detection system has been discontinued by the manufacturer and spare components
are no longer commercially available. As primary corridors are upgraded, components
that are removed can be reused elsewhere or kept for spares.
The presentation also provides an overview of the following traffic signal operations:
•El Camino Real/Arenal Road phase sequencing during emergency vehicle preemption,
including issues previously identified and corrected.
•FYA protected-permissive left turn operations. A new traffic signal using FYA will be
constructed as part of the conditions of approval for a new Chick-fil-A restaurant on the
5900 block of Avenida Encinas.
Next Steps
Staff will continue to work in close coordination with the IT Department to improve the traffic
signal communication network, with the purpose of using signal controller and central system
technologies to optimize traffic flow within the city.
Oct. 2, 2023 Item #3 Page 3 of 3
Traffic Signal System
Update
Nestor Mangohig, Senior Engineer
October 2, 2023
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
•Receive report and provide comments and
input.
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ITEM 3: TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM UPDATE
TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM
UPDATE
•Communications Network Upgrades
•Signal Operations
•ECR/Arenal Preemption, Flashing Yellow
Arrow
ITEM 3: TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM UPDATE
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Original Communications Network
SIGNAL GROUP
WIRELESS BACKHAUL
LOCATION
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
CENTER
4
Original Communications Network
SIGNAL GROUP
WIRELESS BACKHAUL
LOCATION
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
CENTER
5
Current Communications Network
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SIGNAL OPERATIONS
•Count Stations
•Signal Coordination
•Real-time Controller Alerts
•Real-time Vehicle Data
•ECR/Arenal Preemption, Flashing Yellow Arrow
ITEM 3: TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM UPDATE
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COUNT STATIONS
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COUNT STATIONS
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SIGNAL COORDINATION
•El Camino Real
•Palomar Airport Road
•Rancho Santa Fe Road
•Carlsbad Village Drive
ITEM 3: TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM UPDATE
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SIGNAL COORDINATION
•Caltrans Coordination
–Central system software and
signal controller upgrades
ITEM 3: TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM UPDATE
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•Signals on Flash
•Controller Access
•Pedestrian Detection
•Vehicle Detection
•Battery Backup Activated
ITEM 3: TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM UPDATE
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REAL-TIME ALERTS
•Speed
•Travel Time
•Congestion Alerts
ITEM 3: TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM UPDATE
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REAL-TIME VEHICLE DATA
EL CAMINO REAL/ARENAL RD.
EMERGENCY PREEMPTION SEQUENCE
ITEM 3: TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM UPDATE
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EL CAMINO REAL/ARENAL RD.
EMERGENCY PREEMPTION SEQUENCE
ITEM 3: TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM UPDATE
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EL CAMINO REAL/ARENAL RD.
NORMAL SIGNAL PHASING
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EL CAMINO REAL/ARENAL RD.
NORMAL SIGNAL PHASING
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EL CAMINO REAL/ARENAL RD.
NORMAL SIGNAL PHASING
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EL CAMINO REAL/ARENAL RD.
PREEMPTION PHASING
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EL CAMINO REAL/ARENAL RD.
PREEMPTION PHASING
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EL CAMINO REAL/ARENAL RD.
PREEMPTION PHASING
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EL CAMINO REAL/ARENAL RD.
PREEMPTION PHASING
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EL CAMINO REAL/ARENAL RD.
PREEMPTION PHASING
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EL CAMINO REAL/ARENAL RD.
PREEMPTION PHASING
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EL CAMINO REAL/ARENAL RD.
PREEMPTION PHASING – CORRECTED ISSUE
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FLASHING YELLOW ARROW (FYA)
PROTECTED-PERMISSIVE LEFT TURN PHASING
ITEM 3: TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM UPDATE
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FLASHING YELLOW ARROW (FYA)
PROTECTED-PERMISSIVE LEFT TURN PHASING
ITEM 3: TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM UPDATE
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ITEM 3: TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM UPDATE
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QUESTIONS / COMMENTS?
ITEM 3: TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM UPDATE
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Traffic Signal Direct Line
442-339-5331