ATSAC: 25 Years Later

In 1984, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation pilot-tested an Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control System (ATSAC). More than 25 years later, the system is still a success and has evolved far beyond its original purpose. This article discusses the history, present and future of ATSAC. The system was conceived to automatically detect changes in traffic patterns and adjust traffic signal timing within a traffic signal network. Over the years, ATSAC was expanded to include features such as closed-circuit television, light rail priority, traveler information, a traffic information website, adaptive traffic control, smart bus transit priority, incident detection, transportation improvement programming, and emergency vehicle priority. The ATSAC infrastructure also serves as a technology test bed. Currently, all but 500 of the city’s 4,400 traffic signals are online, with plans to complete the system within the next three years.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/614107147
• Authors:
  • Fisher, John E
• Publication Date: 2011-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 48-53
• Serial:
  • ITE Journal
  • Volume: 81
  • Issue Number: 7
  • Publisher: Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
  • ISSN: 0162-8178
  • Serial URL: https://www.ite.org/publications/ite-journal/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automation; Case studies; Incident detection; Signalization; Technological innovations; Traffic signals; Traffic surveillance
• Geographic Terms: Los Angeles (California)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01450034
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 23 2012 9:12AM