TRAFFIC SIGNAL TIMING AS A TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM MANAGEMENT MEASURE: THE CALIFORNIA EXPERIENCE

Traffic signal retiming has long been suggested as a means of improving traffic operations and reducing fuel consumption and emissions. However, few local agencies have been able to muster the resources to systematically retime their signals. In California, a statewide program--the Fuel Efficient Traffic Signal Management (FETSIM) Program--was established to address this need. The FETSIM Program provides funds, training, and technical assistance to local agencies to retime their signal systems for greater operating efficiency. To date, 62 local jurisdictions have participated in the program, receiving grants totaling $4 million (1983-1985). In 1986 and 1987 an additional $2 million will be available for grants. The objectives, design, and results of the FETSIM Program's first three funding cycles are described. The program was intended both to produce immediate transportation benefits and to develop within local agencies the skills needed to use state-of-the-art methods for longer-term signal systems management. The transportation benefits have been substantial, with average first-year reductions of 16 percent in stops, 15 percent in delays, 7.2 percent in travel times, and 8.6 percent in fuel use in the retimed systems. Training benefits to local agency personnel also have been positive. However, the program has not had a major influence on local priorities; basic problems in funding and staffing for local transportation activities, including signal work, remain. These problems appear likely to work against long-term maintenance of efficient signal-timing plans unless state funding continues to be made available.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1986/1081/1081-009.pdf
• Summary URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=TRAFFIC+SIGNAL+TIMING+AS+A+TRANSPORTATION+SYSTEM+MANAGEMENT+MEASURE%3A+THE+CALIFORNIA+EXPERIENCE&author=E.+Deakin&author=A.+Skabardonis&author=A.+May&publication_year=1986
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Transportation System Management. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Deakin, Elizabeth A
  • Skabardonis, Alexander
  • May, Adolf D
• Publication Date: 1986

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 59-65
• Monograph Title: Urban traffic management
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1081
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefits; Finance; Financing; Fuel consumption; Local government agencies; State aid; Technical assistance; Traffic signal timing; Training; Transportation system management
• Uncontrolled Terms: Local agencies
• Geographic Terms: California
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Energy; Finance; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00474393
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309041015
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Oct 31 1987 12:00AM