Skip to main content

Smarter Traffic Signals Prioritize Transit and People

By
Smarter Traffic Signals Prioritize Transit and People
By Robert Lim

Have you ever wondered how traffic signals could better balance the needs of all road users, whether driving, bicycling, walking or taking Muni? The SFMTA is rolling out its Connected Corridor Pilot this month to use transit platform and traffic signal sensor data to inform signal timing adjustments. The pilot also aims to collect information to support transit efficiency and street safety improvements.  Traffic engineers use signal timing adjustments as a tool to prioritize the flow of travel in specific directions or for different travel modes – Muni, people walking or driving – to meet the changing demands of the road network across different timepoints in a day.

The Connected Corridors Pilot seeks to push the envelope of innovation by investing in advanced technologies, funded through a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) grant. These tools will better position the city to serve the potential future needs and differing priorities of various roadway users.  At the same time, the project will implement near-term improvements to our street network to make it safer and smarter. Our goal is to provide greater mobility for all users of San Francisco streets.

The sensors are mounted on traffic signal poles and transit platforms and can classify objects by size, speed and direction at a frequency of multiple times per second.  The data collected from these sensors will serve two main purposes – prioritize transit, emergency vehicle and pedestrian flows and  build dashboards to improve our data-driven decision-making processes.

Sensor mounted on a traffic signal pole

Sensor mounted on a traffic signal pole

The pilot will take place along 3rd Street at 10 intersections in the Mission Bay neighborhood.  This corridor was selected based on the presence of upgraded traffic signal infrastructure and the opportunity to explore several operational challenges:

  • Accommodating the time needed for people walking in crosswalks on wide streets while also prioritizing an extended green light for transit
  • Reduced ability to prioritize signal timing in both directions of travel because of frequent  transit operating in both north and south directions of 3rd Street
  • High volumes of people walking and bicycling due to the presence of a hospital, research hub, waterfront and two sports facilities in the area
  • Variable waiting times for passengers to exit and enter at Muni Metro platforms impact the predicted arrivals of Muni vehicles on green lights further down the line

Muni Metro traveling on 3rd Street

Muni Metro traveling on 3rd Street

These challenges provide opportunities for innovation. The project team seeks to build and test an integrated technical solution using real-time data and advanced traffic flow algorithms. These tools can  dynamically adjust the signal phasing based on actual traffic flow conditions and the presence of people using various transportation modes.  Real-time data availability and analysis will enable more precise predictions of when the train will reach the downstream intersections so that a green light is more likely to be provided, thus reducing the amount of time people on the transit are stopped at red lights.

Sensor installation is completed with the overall project scheduled to be completed by the fall. Check the project webpage to see future updates on project status, data analysis and reports.

 



Published May 27, 2021 at 11:57AM
https://ift.tt/3wDtp72
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconnecting San Francisco Across Streets and Freeways

By
Reconnecting San Francisco Across Streets and Freeways By With limited space on San Francisco city streets, how can we ensure that current and future transportation options remain accessible and affordable to all? The San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA), the SFMTA and the San Francisco Planning Department are collaborating through ConnectSF in creating a template for an equitable, sustainable and effective future. Their Streets and Freeways Strategy examines approaches that support San Francisco’s Transit-First , Vision Zero , climate action , and equity goals .  The strategy complements the Transit Investment Strategy released in April 2021. SFMTA staff provided expertise in developing the strategy and is leading the Active Transportation component, exploring ways to build a connected network of bike and pedestrian routes across the city that make biking and walking safe and enjoyable. SFMTA staff from across the agency also developed strategies to ma
Post a Comment
Read more

Have Feedback on the COVID-19 Muni Temporary Service Plan?

By
Have Feedback on the COVID-19 Muni Temporary Service Plan? By Shalon Rogers In March 2020, due to unprecedented constraints on resources brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the SFMTA had to make significant transit service reductions. As of January 2021, the agency has been able to restore service to a level where 91% of San Franciscans are within a quarter mile of a transit stop. This is reflected in the SFMTA’s current  COVID-19 Temporary Service Plan .   ' COVID-19 Temporary Service Plan Map The SFMTA is committed to ensuring that our programs and services are  compliant with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964  and therefore do not have a discriminatory impact based on race, color or national origin. As part of this work, we conducted a Title VI service equity analysis to evaluate the current COVID-19 Temporary Service Plan. The results of this analysis will be presented to the MTA Board of Directors on May 4. The public is invited to attend and provide comments on
Post a Comment
Read more

Chinatown Connects to Muni Metro

By
Chinatown Connects to Muni Metro By Deanna Leo With the completion of Central Subway, customers will be able to ride the T Third Muni Metro all the way from Visitacion Valley to Chinatown. Starting November 19, when Muni Metro riders can first take Central Subway's special weekend service to Chinatown,  prepare to spend the day in Chinatown enjoying all its sights, sounds and flavors. There is so much to explore in the largest Chinatown outside Asia! Tourist attractions include the Dragon’s Gate, Old St. Mary’s Cathedral and Portsmouth Square, the site of San Francisco’s original customs house where today, members of the Chinese community spend the days singing or playing mahjong, a traditional and very popular tile-based game. Fans of Amy Tan’s novel, The Joy Luck Club, can meander the streets of Chinatown searching for the places where her story unfolds. On Wavery Place you can visit the First Baptist Church where the four mothers in the story meet to play mahjong. Muni M
Post a Comment
Read more