We Like Traffic Lights, We Like Traffic Lights. . .

After spending nearly 40 minutes trying to get up Elm CVD through all those dragging, lagging Village of Carlsbadistan traffic lights following the Carlsbad Marathon we’re all for any kind of intelligent traffic light upgrade that would speed the flow. The City of Carlsbad is apparently all over it.

Traffic engineers plan to replace the city’s current control system, which is limited to a small number of traffic signals, with a new system over five years. The citywide network will enable staff to observe an entire corridor and adjust signal timing to optimize traffic flow based on real time conditions. . . .“This new technology won’t improve traffic flow by itself, but it will give us a much more advanced and efficient way to make changes as needed to keep cars moving,” said Bilse. “Traffic is a big concern out there. This is a great example of using technology to make a noticeable improvement in the lives of our community members.”

Sounds great aside from the five years part. Follow the jump for more details.City using technology to improve traffic signals
After a successful trial of new technology designed to improve traffic signal timing at Carlsbad’s busiest intersection, the city is moving forward with plans for a system that will better coordinate signal timing citywide.

Last summer, traffic engineers completed a pilot project that established a new Traffic Management Center, which enables city staff to observe and adjust signal timing from a remote location. The first target was the intersection at Palomar Airport Road and El Camino Real, which 63,000 vehicles pass through every day, the most in Carlsbad.

Currently, city staff must go to the physical location of each signal to make timing adjustments. According to Doug Bilse, a senior traffic engineer for the city, even small adjustments in how long a light stays red or green can make a big difference in the time people spend waiting in traffic.

Traffic engineers were pleased with the reduced wait times at the pilot location and are proceeding to the next phase of the program, purchasing and installing equipment that will link the signals along the entire stretch of El Camino Real in Carlsbad.

The traffic signal project was identified by the City Council as a top priority for the coming year, during last week’s annual goal setting workshop. The ultimate goal is to establish a system that will network nearly all of Carlsbad’s 170 traffic signals through the new center, improving traffic flow citywide.

Traffic engineers plan to replace the city’s current control system, which is limited to a small number of traffic signals, with a new system over five years. The citywide network will enable staff to observe an entire corridor and adjust signal timing to optimize traffic flow based on real time conditions.

“This new technology won’t improve traffic flow by itself, but it will give us a much more advanced and efficient way to make changes as needed to keep cars moving,” said Bilse. “Traffic is a big concern out there. This is a great example of using technology to make a noticeable improvement in the lives of our community members.”

The new system will automatically detect traffic signal malfunctions, allowing city crews to perform maintenance promptly and minimize service interruptions.

Bilse said staff also will be able to adjust signal operations through a secure communication line to control traffic flow in response to construction, emergencies or special events.

He said after the equipment is installed along El Camino Real, operators will fine-tune the timing to maximize efficiency. When that’s completed, they’ll turn to the project’s next phase, Palomar Airport Road.

In time all the city’s signals will be tied into the system, with the exception of some isolated signals that won’t be connected if the cost to do so isn’t warranted based on the additional benefit to the system.

“Carlsbad’s tried hard to manage traffic. Our roads have kept pace with growth, and we keep our streets well maintained,” said Bilse. “Thanks to technology, we can now take our traffic management approach to a whole new level.”