CONGESTION MITIGATION THROUGH COMMUNICATION AND TRAFFIC CONTROL: THE SYRACUSE SIGNAL INTERCONNECT PROJECT

A well designed communications infrastructure is the key to an effective traffic control system. The ability to access traffic data easily, to coordinate traffic signals, to provide traffic management through closed circuit television, and to provide accurate and timely traveler information affords any transportation professional the elements necessary to provide an efficient transportation system. The communications industry possesses the technology to provide effective tools for the transportation profession. In 1989 Onondaga County, Syracuse, New York was identified as not meeting the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for carbon monoxide (CO). The project presented in this paper is part of the Onondaga County air quality attainment plan. The project objectives have been defined to address regional issues of air quality. As a result, the project goal is to design and implement a traffic control system that improves air quality while also improving mobility and traffic safety. The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the City of Syracuse identified a need to evaluate alternative methods of updating the existing traffic signal system in terms of new and more flexible equipment. The existing system and control equipment in the Central Business District (CBD) is obsolete by today's standards. The system as configured, cannot operate efficiently in response to variations in traffic demand, and has no monitoring function. It is the desire of the City and State to not only standardize system operation functions, but to also move towards the deployment of several traffic management components in the development of an intelligent transportation system. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of how the needs of the City of Syracuse were determined and how a cost effective system was designed to provide a traffic management system that addresses today's issues while providing the technology necessary to expand the system for future use. An effective communications system was deemed essential in meeting the City's needs; by implementing an advanced communications system, the City can use advanced technology to improve air quality, traffic flow, and traffic safety. The significance of this project is in the development of a traffic control system that is economical, adheres to future expansion, and lends itself towards aiding several agencies within the City of Syracuse and the State of New York.