The GBRPA operates and maintains a traffic signal to evaluate the operating condition of the traffic signals and develop improvement projects. The Traffic Signal Evaluation and Management System were distributed to member municipalities and works with members on how to use and access the information contained in the database and with keeping the information current. Information in the database includes a complete inventory of the traffic signal equipment, intersection layout and geometry, timing and phasing plans, and photographs. Future work will focus on expanding the system to include information of state-maintained traffic signals.
|
Annual Traffic Count
|
|||||
Project Summary
In 1999, the Greater Bridgeport Regional Planning Agency (GBRPA), initiated a study to develop a Traffic Signal Evaluation and Management Study (TSEMS) for the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region. The purpose of the TSEMS were to (1) conduct a comprehensive traffic signal data inventory of municipally owned and maintained signal equipment; (2) develop a method of storing information in a unique repository which can have the functionality and versatility to update and modify traffic signal data in the future; and (3) establish a regional traffic signal improvement strategy and a regional Traffic Signal Management and Operations System.
A good deal of time was spent at municipally owned traffic signal locations within the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region to collect data which included signals age, cabinet and controller condition, functionality, signal timing and phasing, signage, pavement marking conditions, MUTCD compliance checks, intersection geometry, and traffic signal documentation. A major component of this study involved developing a distinctive relational database to store and manage traffic signal data efficiently.
As part of the efforts to develop a regional Traffic Signal Management and Operations Plan, interviews were conducted with representatives from municipalities within the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region to document how they maintain, operate, and procure traffic signal equipment. The primary goal of the traffic signal management plan was to identify the need to regionalize traffic signal maintenance and operation procedures and also to develop a future plan to set priorities for replacing and upgrading traffic signal equipment.
The final recommendation and improvement proposals derived from the study included a prioritized Intersection Improvement List with a total cost estimate of $4,000,000 for implementing intersection improvements and equipment replacements/upgrades at numerous intersections throughout the region. More importantly, this study provides the GBRPA and member municipalities with a better understanding of what traffic signal information currently exists, the condition and deficiencies with the traffic signals, and an overall planning process needed to upgrade and introduce new traffic signals within the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region.
User Capabilities and Limitations
The database is accessible to the public through the GBRPA web site. The GBRPA is responsible for maintaining and operating the TSEMS database and will continue to enhance the application tool as its uses evolve and become better defined. Periodically, as data becomes available and as the GBRPA staff conduct field inventories, additional traffic signal information will be integrated into the database application on an ongoing basis.
User capabilities include easily accessing, retrieving, and viewing state and town owned traffic signal data. Users will also be able to extract specific data by developing user defined queries that can be downloaded and accessed using MS Access or MS Excel. User limitations include the inability to utilize the GIS component of the database for mapping/visual purposes. Users will also not be able to access specific data that has been electronically stored in the database application requiring supplementary software packages such as SmartDraw and Petra for Windows.
The TSEMS database will be stored in a read-only format on the GBRPA web site where users will have the ability to access and view data but not modify or update information. If users have any questions or find discrepancies regarding the TSEMS database application they can forward comments to the GBRPA via e-mail for review.