April 5, 2018
Innovation of the Month:
Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures
The Every Day Counts (EDC) innovation of the month for April is automated traffic signal performance measures (ATSPMs), which enable transportation agencies to incorporate performance-based approaches in traffic signal operations, maintenance, design, and management.
One quarter of the Nation’s traffic fatalities and half of all injuries are attributed to issues occurring at intersections. Signal retiming can improve traffic safety and operations, but highway agencies typically retime traffic signals on a 3- to 5-year cycle. For most of the country’s 330,000 signals, citizen complaints are the primary measure of performance.
ATSPMs modernize traffic signal management by providing high-resolution data to actively manage performance and improve safety and customer service while cutting congestion and costs.
Using ATSPMs to enhance safety and customer service is generating interest across the country. Twenty States are developing implementation plans and learning more about this innovation. Sixteen States, plus many local agencies, are demonstrating and assessing the technology. Georgia, Indiana, and Utah have made ATSPMs a standard practice.
Contact Eddie Curtis or Rick Denney of the FHWA Resource Center for information and technical assistance, including training and workshops.
Colorado Collaborates on Road Weather Messaging With Pathfinder
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is among the agencies implementing road weather management—weather-savvy roads strategies. CDOT plans to institutionalize Pathfinder—which helps agencies, the National Weather Service, and private weather service providers collaborate on consistent road weather messaging—and expand collaboration to local agencies. CDOT is also reworking its Variable Message Sign Board Guideline Manual to focus on weather-related road impacts. CDOT notes that Pathfinder benefits include cost savings on material used to treat roads through improved communication and collaboration before storms. For information on road weather management, contact Paul Pisano or Ray Murphy of FHWA.
Delaware Adds Traffic Advisory Notifications to Mobile App
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) used State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) Incentive funds to enhance its DelDOT App, which provides travelers with real-time traffic information. The latest app update includes text notifications of traffic advisories to help users better plan their travels throughout the State. Users can choose from a list of advisory notifications, such as incidents, construction, congestion, road closures, events, special travel alerts, and weather. Users can also set the mile radius from their location for which to receive notifications. The DelDOT App, available for free, has been downloaded more than 78,000 times. For information, contact dot_mobileapps@state.de.us.
