Synchronization of traffic lights expected by the end of the year

It’s Winnipeg’s Transportation Management Centre, a state-of-the-art central facility, located at 821 Elgin Ave., that will monitor traffic conditions and the status of each of Winnipeg’s 650 traffic signals in real time. It is expected to go into operation by the end of the year.

• Cost: $3-million capital investment over 2015 and 2016 to get the centre operational; $3.5 million in annual operating costs going forward.
• Goal: To improve traffic flow, reduce travel time and number of travel delays and improve traffic-signal maintenance.

How does it work?

EACH traffic signal across the city will be armed with a tiny, wireless modem and computer linked to the TMC.

In addition, 50 to 75 traffic cameras are being installed adjacent to the traffic signals, providing real-time information on traffic conditions.

Staff in the TMC can remotely program individual traffic signals for light durations depending on traffic flow. Currently, staff have to physically attend to each traffic signal to adjust light timing.

Maintenance problems will be automatically messaged to the TMC, such as flashing red lights, no lights or inoperable pedestrian-crossing buttons. Currently, traffic engineering staff rely on 311 complaints to alert them to traffic-signal issues.

Real-time traffic data collected by the TMC will be compiled into a database and shared with other civic departments, including Winnipeg Transit, police, fire and paramedics, which can use the information to determine best/alternate routes.

Traffic-signal times can be altered to accommodate lane closures due to construction and, if necessary, collisions or other traffic delays.

Eventually, that same real-time information will be provided to the public for app development on traffic/street conditions.

“We are excited because it gives us the tools to provide better service and build on existing technology,” said Michael Cantor, the city’s traffic-signals engineer.

“This takes us forward 20 years or more. It takes us to where other cities are (in traffic management) and beyond.”

Has it worked before?

THE City of Toronto credits traffic-signal optimization with a marked reduction in traffic congestion, vehicle delays, travel time, vehicle emissions, stops and fuel consumption on routes where lights were synchronized.

A Toronto report said for every dollar invested on traffic-signal optimization, there was a potential saving of $74 to the public.

During the three-year period 2012-14, Toronto found the resulting traffic changes on routes where traffic signals were optimized:

• a 10.4 per cent reduction in the number of vehicle stops;
• a five per cent jump in the average car speed;
• a 4.3 per cent reduction in travel time;
• a 5.1 per cent reduction in fuel consumption.

— Santin