HomeMy WebLinkAboutSS4 - Traffic Signal CoordinationCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Study Session Item No. ss4
September 12, 2006
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Public Works Department
Richard Edmonston
949 - 644 -3345 or redmonston @city.newport- beach.ca.us
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC SIGNAL COORDINATION
DISCUSSION:
Traffic signal coordination offers considerable benefits for the motoring public including
smoother traffic flow and fewer traffic accidents. Both the City and Caltrans have
implemented coordination along most of the arterial roadways in Newport Beach. This
coordination is not always apparent to drivers and staff periodically is asked when we
are going to coordinate our signals.
We have invited a consultant to make a brief presentation to help the City Council and
residents better understand some of the tradeoffs resulting from signal coordination and
why signals may not appear to be coordinated when in fact they are. Mark Miller of the
firm Albert Grover & Associates is an experienced consultant who also serves as the
contract City Traffic Engineer for his home town of Fullerton. He is very familiar with the
issues associated with traffic signal coordination from both the theoretical and practical
perspectives.
Several traffic signal projects are in various stages from design to construction. Staff
will update the City Council on the different projects which include in- pavement
crosswalk lights, signal refurbishments, battery backup installations, and our upcoming
large project to begin the implementation of a modem traffic control system including
computers and software at City Hall and new equipment in the field.
Prepared by:
Richard Edmonston, P.E.
Transportation and Development
Services Manager
Submitted by:
d G. Badum
Works Director
City of Newport Beach
Arterial Street Traffic
Signal Coordination
Mark Miller, Vice President
Albert Grover & Associates
Introduction to signal coordination
■ Why signal coordination?
■ Benefits of coordination
Increase capacity
• Reduce overall delay
• Platoon vehicles
■ Reduction of rear -end accidents
What is needed
■ Compatible equipment
■ Linking intersections together
(wire, wireless, fiber optics)
■ Time Base Coordination
■ Central System Coordination
Development of Timing Plans
• Actual field counts
• Actual field observation - flow rates
• Computer simulation - Synchro /Sim Traffic
• Engineering fine tuning
■ Implementation
■ More fine tuning
Drawbacks
Woe-
Complaints
■ Longer delay on side streets
■ Shorter left turn green arrow
(especially true if mainline volumes fluctuate)
Why does it appear not to work?
■ Signal phasing type
■ Travel speed changes - coordination not
updated
■ Maintenance limitations - controller
replacement, timing, IC, detection failure.
■ Time clocks drifting - 1 month synchronized
Why does it appear not to work?
• Side street access - not in green band
• Random pedestrian activity
• Accidents
• Speeding vehicles - not in green band
■ On- street parking
■ Early start of green
What can help?
■ Increase routine maintenance -
hardware /timing budget
■ Update timing plans every 2 -3 years
■ Central Computer System - easily
monitored
■ Strategically placed CCTV cameras
What can help?
■ Signal Priority rather than signal
preemption
■ Public information - Dynamic Message
Signs (DMS)
■ Special event training - field personnel
(example: fair grounds, shopping malls,
universities, parades)
Additional improvements
that should be considered
■ Recognize that signal timing has its
limitations
• Simple signing /striping changes
• Removal of unnecessary crosswalks and
signal phases
• Relocation of crosswalks at intersections
Additional improvements
that should be considered
■ Add protected /permissive signal operation;
remove split phasing
■ Local widening /right -of -way
■ Condition developers to make signal
improvements
In conclusion
1. Elimination of minor traffic operational
bottlenecks
2. Optimization of traffic signal coordination
systems
3. Ongoing monitoring and updating of
coordination systems
Current Signal Projects
■ Coast Highway /Orchid Avenue - Lighted
crosswalk
■ 2005 -06 Signal Upgrades - 3 rehabs, 2
Opticom, 17 BBS
FY 2006 -07 Signal Projects
■ System Improvement - New master with
software, 2 CCTV's, 21 signals upgraded
and online
■ Coordination Improvements - Install/
upgrade signal communication system
(copper, wireless, & fiber optics)
■ 2006 -07 Upgrades - Rehabilitate 2 to 3
older locations and add Opticom at 2
locations
Sep 12 2006 1:50PM HP LRSERJET FRX
RECEIVED
7W SEP 12 PH 3: 54 Andrew J. Littlefair
C'FF;CE OF 110 Via Trieste
TJHEL CITY CLERK Newport Beach, California 92663
CITY OF NFI' I PT BFXIH
September 12, 2006
The Honorable Don Webb
Mayor, City of Newport Beach
3300 Newport Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Dear Mayor:
Cate 4/ Copies Sent
/R M-iyor
"Ci-c5uncit Member
pager
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As you may know, I have been advocating the use of natural gas
vehicles in and around the City of Newport Beach for several years. I
was delighted to recently hear that City Staff would be recommending
to the City Council a partnership between the City and our company,
Clean Energy, for a new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling
facility at the Corporation Yard.
With gasoline and diesel prices escalating almost 506/6 over the past
year, we feel natural gas vehicles makes even more sense today than
ever before. Having a fueling facility located in our city will provide
residents with a convenient location and also service the fleet of taxis
that pick up passengers visiting our local establishments in the
evenings and on weekends.
The station will also be convenient fueling location for City owned
CNG vehicles acquired in the future. As you know, a number of
Orange County cities have their streets cleaned and trash picked up
using natural gas vehicles. I look forward to the day when CNG
powered Newport Beach City vehicles are operating in our
community.
I would like to personally thank you and the other Members of the
Council for your consideration and support in approving this station.
Best wishes,
p.l