Monterey further optimises traffic management

The City of Monterey, California, is to expand its adaptive traffic control system to additional corridors within the city.

Scoot (split cycle offset optimisation technique) models traffic detected on the street to adapt three key traffic control parameters continuously – the amount of green for each approach (split), the time between adjacent signals (offset), and the time allocated for all approaches to a signalised intersection (cycle time).

As a result, the signal timing evolves with the changing traffic volumes and demands making the system a one-of-a-kind predictive adaptive traffic solution, according to Western Systems.

Initial success

Several years ago, Western Systems worked with Monterey on the city’s first implementation of Scoot at intersections along Lighthouse, Del Monte and the North Freemont corridors. Since its implementation, Monterey reports traffic has significantly improved. The before and after study on Lighthouse Avenue showed:

• travel time has decreased by an average of 10 per cent
• average delay has decreased by 30 per cent
• average stops have decreased by 32 per cent
• average vehicle speed has increased by 13 per cent.

Following success of the first implementation, the City will be adding Scoot to additional intersections along the Munras, Foam, Pacific and Franklin corridors. These corridors experience high traffic volumes and unpredictable peaks, which leads to inefficient traffic and increased vehicle emissions.

“With all main corridors running Scoot, the city will have less stop and go traffic, improved travel times and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions”