As cities grow and vehicle volumes increase, Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT) is coming into the spotlight ever more often. Traffic patterns are known to be unpredictable and time-based systems are no longer a panacea for improving traffic signal operations. Only proven, financially sound, real-time adaptive signal control solutions can provide an effective approach and reduce congestion. Among other stellar qualities, good technology has to fit the budget and ensure a fast and secure return on investment (ROI).
What is Adaptive Signal Control Technology and how does it work?
Unlike legacy systems, real-time Adaptive Signal Control Technologies are able to accommodate fluctuating traffic demand. In|Sync is the most widely deployed technology throughout the US. It reacts to actual traffic demand at the intersection and optimizes traffic signals in real-time. Rather than adjusting splits, offsets and cycle lengths based on the volume from the past several minutes, In|Sync detects emerging traffic patterns as they develop, which eliminates the reliance on timing plans altogether.
The benefits of Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT)
ASCT offers unsurpassed operational and safety benefits and it’s a matter of time before Agencies throughout the U.S. adopt this technology on a larger scale. Our In|Sync implementations showcase some amazing results and benefits:
● 57% delay reduction
● 24% travel time reduction
● 23% crash reduction
Traffic Engineers find the adoption of the In|Sync ASCT solution easy because it integrates seamlessly with other existing systems. This reduces costs and makes the blending of old and new technology logically smooth. Once being deployed, human intervention in such smart systems is extremely low, making them easy to manage.
While assessing the factors that may influence the decision to invest in an ASCT solution, traffic professionals always ask the question “Is it worth it?”. And the final decision is always based on ROI and the payback period for such an investment.
Why should you invest now in a new traffic signal system?
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the average cost of Adaptive Signal Control Technology is $30K per intersection. To put this figure in perspective, let’s look at a recent In|Sync implementation. It covered 13 signalized intersections in Maricopa County, Arizona. The results from an independent validation study conducted by AECOM show impressive daily savings of $25,900 that the county is able to generate on weekdays. Evidentially, the investment in an Adaptive solution such as In|Sync pays off in less than a month. Moreover, the deployment of the In|Sync Adaptive Signal Control System resulted in a notable reduction in congestion and 51% reduction in delay during the weekdays.
A case study from the Las Vegas Valley
More recently, the City of Henderson in the Las Vegas Valley completed an In|Sync implementation on Eastern Avenue. It contributed to a total yearly savings of $10,347,360 in lost time and wasted fuel. This astonishing figure equals a payback period for the whole project of only 32 days.
The In|Sync Adaptive Signal Control System helps reduce stops and delay. This translates into an increase in speed and a decrease in travel time. Significant user cost savings outline the vast economic benefits of an adaptive system.
