TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

The goal of Transportation Systems Management (TSM) is to improve the efficiency of existing facilities through better management of vehicles and the roadway. Some ways in which this can be accomplished is through greater use of alternative modes of travel such as transit and bicycles.

Improvements to these systems are discussed in more detail in their own chapters.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) refers to the increased use of technology and communication methods to improve traffic operations. Pavement detectors, traffic cameras and weather sensors are used to gather constant information about traffic flow conditions along corridors or at intersections. This information may be relayed to a traffic control center where operators can change traffic signal timing plans or post messages on variable message signs.

UDOT manages the Traffic Operations Center (TOC) in Salt Lake through which is provided the CommuterLink network. Through this system freeways and major corridors as well as approximately 550 signalized intersections are monitored. Users can access the CommuterLink website and obtain real-time information about construction, incidents, weather, or traffic conditions. There are over 150 cameras that are used by both the operators and website users to monitor the freeways and highways in the area. Utah was one of the first states to launch the 511 telephone information system that offers statewide road and weather conditions updates. As the

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CommuterLink system continues to progress and expand it is recommended that West Jordan actively work with UDOT to include major corridors and intersections in this system.

Variable Message Signs

Variable Message Signs are the computer-controlled signs located over freeways or major arterials that are used to alert drivers to traffic congestion or incidents. There are currently no variable message signs in West Jordan operated by the TOC but ideal locations for future signs would be on major corridors such as Bangerter Highway, Redwood Road, and 9000 South.

These signs should be placed in locations such that any information given by them is the most useful to allow drivers to alter routes due to congestion or delays. For example a sign could be placed on northbound Redwood Road prior to 7000 South so that delays on either I-15 or I-215 can be relayed to drivers on Redwood Road and the other freeway can easily be accessed, as shown on Figure 5.2.1. On eastbound 9000 South a sign too close to I-15 would be of little value to drivers planning on using I-15 if there are no alternates between the sign and the freeway. A sign located previous to Redwood Road and perhaps an additional sign previous to Bangerter Highway would provide the information to drivers in sufficient time to allow easy access to alternate routes.

Traffic Signal Coordination

Traffic signal coordination is another ITS method that is used to improve traffic operations and efficiency. Traffic signal timing and phasing improvements generally improve all traffic flow but can also be used to favor high-occupancy vehicles or buses. Some ways in which signal timing can be used to favor transit include transit pre-emption and priority. Transit pre-emption means that as a transit vehicle approaches an intersection the signal timing is interrupted to accommodate the transit vehicle. This may interrupt the signal coordination of a corridor or network. Transit priority allows traffic signals to adjust their phasing to give priority to transit vehicles without interrupting the overall traffic signal timing plan. It is important to realize the trade-off in overall coordination when implementing transit priority.

There are two primary methods employed by UDOT for communication between traffic signals and the Traffic Operations Center. The first is via fiber optic cables, which comprise approximately 90% of the signals in the UDOT system, and the second is via spread spectrum radio signals, which comprise the remaining 10% of the system. The spread spectrum radio has a much smaller bandwidth than the fiber optics, and therefore can only be used for a few signals.

Existing coordination corridors within West Jordan are shown in Figure 5.2.1 along with potential future corridors. The existing north-south coordination corridors take precedence over the east-west corridors.

In an area such as West Jordan that is experiencing rapid growth and changes in traffic volumes and patterns it is important that traffic signal timing plans be evaluated and updated if necessary.

To properly evaluate and improve the signal coordination in an area, a fair amount of data collection is necessary which is both labor intensive and costly. As UDOT is much more adequately equipped to manage such efforts West Jordan should coordinate with UDOT and TOC staff to ensure that traffic signals in the City are coordinated.

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E x i s t i n g S i g n a l C o o r d i n a t i o n C o r r i d o r P o t e n t i a l V a r i a b l e M e s s a g e S i g n L o c a t i o n s P o t e n t i a l S i g n a l C o o r d i n a t i o n C o r r i d o r

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9 0 0 0 S o u t h 7 8 0 0 S o u t h

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4000 West Bangerter Highway Redwood Road

SR 111

4800 West Airport Road 2200 West

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7 0 0 0 S o u t h

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6000 West

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8 2 0 0 S o u t h 7 4 0 0 S o u t h

Mountain View Corridor

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RICHARD D CHONG AND ASSOCIATES InterPlan Co.

Transportation Planning

Emergency Vehicle Signal Preemption

One of the most widely utilized ITS tools is traffic signal preemption by emergency vehicles, which is often known as Opticom, which is the trade name of the preemption equipment manufactured by 3M. Hardware is mounted on both the traffic signal mast arm and the emergency vehicle. The vehicle sends out a signal that is received by the signal, which then adjusts the signal timing and phasing to increase the likelihood of the emergency vehicle getting a green light. This tool reduces the response time for these emergency vehicles and is widely used throughout Utah, including West Jordan.

Emergency vehicle preemption is similar to preemption that is sometimes given to transit vehicles such as buses. However, transit vehicles typically have a lesser degree of preemption.

They can generally only extend or shorten the green time of a cycle by a few seconds rather than completely altering the phasing or timing.

TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

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West Jordan Master Transportation Plan

ENGINE ERS PLA NNERS ECO NO MIST S Wilbur Smith Associates

RICHARD D CHONG AND ASSOCIATES InterPlan Co.

Transportation Planning