Transportation and Traffic Management
- Intelligent Transportation Systems and Traffic Management Centre -
Our Responsibilities
Traffic Operations Section is responsible for a safe and efficient movement of people, goods and vehicles on Surreys’ road network
Our Services
• Traffic Operations Section manages and maintains traffic signals, traffic signs and pavement markings and parking restrictions.
• Section is also accountable for reviewing permits for construction work and special events.
• Furthermore, section tasks are managing of the city-owned 30,000 streetlights, 210 bus shelters and bus benches.
SFU & The City of Surrey
Transportation Lecture program
Session 9 - November 2, 2011
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Traffic Management and Control
As intersection vehicle and pedestrian volumes increase beyond the capability of lesser controls such as a two – way or all - way stop,
Roundabouts and Traffic Safety
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At traditional intersections with stop signs or traffic lights, the most serious id t
Head-on,
Right-angle
Left-turn and opposing through traffic
• Roundabouts virtually eliminate those types of crashes because vehicles all travel in the same direction
• On the City of Surrey’s road network we have currently 11 roundabouts
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8
9
5
6
3
4
1
2
10
11
Roundabouts   Location
Street Avenue
136 60
136
146
58A
20
188
190
194
157A
Elgin   Road
HWY   99
68
68
68
108
36A
8
KGH
KGH
8
14
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Roundabouts are Safer
Roundabouts are safer than traditional intersections - having 40% fewer vehicle collisions, 80% fewer injuries and 90% fewer serious injuries and fatalities
Advantages of Roundabouts
• Roundabouts are safer than intersections controlled by traffic signals
Because they virtually eliminate the most serious accidents
• When the volumes on the approach roadways are relatively balanced a roundabout can operate much more efficiently with less delay to users than a signalized intersection
Because drivers are able to proceed when traffic is clear without the delay incurred while waiting for the traffic signal to change.
• Roundabouts may be a good choice if traffic calming is desired
Due to the raised splitter islands and center circle traffic is forced to slow down entering and circulating the roundabout
• Roundabouts allow U-turns within the normal flow of traffic, which are often not possible at other forms of intersection.
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Disadvantages of Roundabouts
• Larger space and often property requirement in comparison with traditional intersection (except: Mini roundabout)
• The large free space in the center of the roundabout can be used only for landscaping
• Disrupt traffic platoons
• y are low compared to major-street volumes
• Usually cost much more to construct than traffic signal
• Initial Roundabout will require public education
Single-Lane Roundabout
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Multi-Lane Roundabout
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Currently our section is managing and maintaining:
• 320 traffic signals
11 Fire signals
36 Special crosswalks
16 Advance Warning Flashers
Other municipalities in Lower Mainland:
City of Vancouver has 795 traffic signals
City of Burnaby has 230 traffic signals
City of Coquitlam has 131 traffic signals
Corporation of Delta has 64 traffic signals
City of North Vancouver has 59 traffic signals
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Advantages of Traffic Signals
Signals establish right-of-way
Provide adequate time for pedestrians and vehicles to cross the intersection
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Disadvantages of Traffic Signals
Increase rear-end crashes
Can cause excessive delay
Can attract additional traffic to the intersection
Traffic Signals in Surrey
Technical Characteristics
• Currently our section is managing 320 traffic signals with more than 10 traffic signals added each year.
• The City of Surrey is using primarily model
170 Traffic Signal Controller and
• Type 332 Traffic Controller Cabinet
• All our traffic signals are equipped with
LED signal heads.
• All our traffic signals are fully actuated
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Central Traffic Signal Communication System
• The City is using McCain’s QuickNet software for central Traffic Signals
Management.
• This is advanced Traffic Management
System which is allowing us to real time monitor and optimize entire traffic system from the office.
• We have remote access to 172 traffic signals and we are permanently expanding our traffic signal communication system.
• The status of all traffic signals is displayed real-time on easy-to-read system maps.
Traffic Flow Management
Travel Time and Delay studies
• • The City of Surrey has a proactive approach where all major corridors are tested regularly for travel time, speed and delay.
• Travel time and delay are two principle measures of road system performance.
• Within the City of Surrey, a test vehicle equipped with GPS device and time .
• Once a corridor has the traffic signals coordinated using Synchro software, the travel time and delay studies are conducted again to measure the effectiveness of the improvements (Before and After
Study Comparison).
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Before and After Study Comparison
Travel Time and Delay analysis
Traffic Signal Coordination
• Total of 21 strategic corridors updated
• Traffic Operations Section is upgrading six traffic signal corridors every year
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Count down pedestrian signal heads
• Are used in conjunction with conventional pedestrian signals to provide information to the pedestrian regarding the amount of time remaining to safely cross the street
• Pedestrians use this information to make better decisions about when to enter the crosswalk
• This year 107 signalized intersections are outfitted with count down signals
Fire Signals
• Fire Signals are installed for Fire trucks to gain quick right-of-way access to the roadway when responding to an emergency.
• These signals are located at mid-block Fire Hall driveways. When a fire signal is solid red, vehicles are required to stop behind the stop line until red bulb terminates.
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Traffic Signal Pre-emption for
Fire Rescue Vehicles
• The City uses The Opticom Infrared System at all arterial and collector roads
• Fire truck equipped with a preemption emitter which, in operation, is a high intensity
• When the fire truck approaches within the line-of-sight (approx. 750 m) of a preemption-equipped traffic signal, the preemption detector "sees" the fire truck’s preemption transmitter and locks onto its flashing strobe
• If the fire truck has a red light, any other direction that has a green light will transition to yellow, then red and fire truck will get green light to proceed
Opticom Emiter Opticom Receiver
Audible – Accessible Pedestrian
Signals for visually impaired pedestrians
The City is currently having 40 APS signals mostly Novax and Polara brand
Old type of audible signal Novax loudspeakers mounted on pedestrian signal heads
The other more advanced ATS signal is Polara Navigator
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Traffic Signal Battery Back-Up
Systems UPS
• Prior to the full implementation of LED signal heads at traffic signals it wasn’t feasible to i ll UPS h h h Ci
• LED signal heads use 80% less power than incandescent signal heads.
• Since LED signal heads have been installed it is possible to provide 4 to 6 hours of full signal operation at intersections
• Emergency back-up power for traffic signal operation during power outages
• The City currently has 60 UPS systems
• The plan is to have installed approximately 20 new UPS systems annually
Intelligent Transportation System and Traffic Management Centre
• ITS is a key component of the City’s overall strategy to responding to the increasing demands on the transportation system
• ITS initiatives help maximize the use of existing roadway capacity
• As the City grows, ITS is playing a more important role due to challenges in achieving missing links and widening roads
• Affordable and good return on investment
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Traffic Management Centre
The Operating Plan
Use CCTV Camera / Ethernet Radio technology to:
• Optimize traffic signals operation - Improve traffic mobility and reduce congestion throughout the City
• Avoid reliance on public complaints / concerns yet have a means to review concerns raised by public without physically visiting site
• Conduct traffic studies (i.e. collect traffic volume information, potential vehicles safety issues at intersections, pedestrian analysis, etc.)
• Display CCTV images for public information / trip planning purposes
(via Internet, City Web Page etc.)
Traffic Management Centre
Existing Situation -
• Existing TMC is located in the west wing of The City Hall
• Currently staffed with three full time employees.
• We use 5 large monitors for viewing
CCTV camera images
• We have 50 CCTV cameras and radios installed on the field
• Central Traffic Control System communicates to 172 traffic signals
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Closed Circuit Television
(CCTV)/Ethernet Radio Communication
Ethernet Radio
Antenna
Encom 5.8 GHz radio
Street light pole mounted CCTV camera
Ethernet Radio / CCTV Camera System
Capabilities real-time traffic conditions from Traffic Management
Centre.
These real-time images are used for:
• Evaluating traffic concerns raised by the public
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• Assessing and developing appropriate traffic signal timings for typical traffic events or special traffic pattern events
• Conducting traffic/pedestrian volume/conflict studies
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CCTV Camera/ Ethernet Radio
Current and Proposed Locations for 2011
Ethernet Radio / CCTV Camera
Example of real time intersections images
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Traffic Management Centre
Two Year Expansion Plan
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Expansion plan is being developed for when
City Hall is moved to City Centre
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Ultimately monitor and manage traffic signals on the major road network covering all peak hours from 06:00hrs to 18:00hrs by using overlapping shift work
Future ITS Investments
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We have 50 CCTV cameras and radios i t ll d th fi ld ill h 70 CCTV in operation in 2011
 we have a plan to have 120 CCTV camera and radios in operation in 2012
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30 – 40 new CCTV cameras annually.
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