Traffic Signal Optimization Program

Since it's inception in 2004 the Traffic Signal Optimization Program (TSOP) has successfully completed twenty two projects that involved more than 200 signalized intersections all across the region. The program continues to be highly supported and receives regional funds for programming new projects. Projects launched through this program provide technical assistance to member agencies for improving traffic signal coordination, optimization and review of operations through simulation modeling. Assistance is provided by consultants hired by MAG through an on-call services contract.

What is signal coordination and optimization? This involves the implementation of the best possible timing settings to govern the operation of a traffic signal. The objective is to respond to the demands of motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians in a safe and optimum manner. Signal optimization leads to the minimization of stops and delays, fuel consumption and air pollution emissions and maximizing the progression along an arterial.

Why is it necessary to optimize signals? Traffic signal optimization is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve traffic movement and make our streets safer and efficient. Signal optimization is performed for any or all of the following reasons:

To adjust signal timing to account for changes in traffic patterns due to new developments and traffic growth
To reduce motorist frustration and unsafe driving by reducing stops and delay
To improve traffic flow through a group of signals, thereby reducing emissions and fuel consumption
To postpone the need for costly long-term road capacity improvement by improving traffic flow with existing resources

Signal optimization projects have been found to produce benefit to cost ratios as high as 40 to 1.
The TSOP has been championed by the MAG Intelligent Transportation Systems Program to provide traffic engineering assistance for refining signal operations across the MAG region. Projects may cost up to $25,000, and would not require a local match.

All of the projects have been completed.

2012-2013 TSOP Projects

Task Order	Agency	Task Budget	Consultant	Project Title	Project Descriptions
TS12-1	MAG	$9,982.21	Ayres	Regional Synchro Training	Regional SYNCHRO software training workshop
TS12-2	Scottsdale & ADOT	$59,476.16	LEE Engineering	Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd/Loop 101 Corridor Timing Development	Optimize signal timings of 9 intersections along Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd from Scottsdale Road to Thompson Peak Parkway for 4 weekday timing plans, 3 weekend timing plans and 3 special event timing plans.
TS12-3	Scottsdale & ADOT	$13,815.58	Kimley-Horn and Associates	Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd/Loop 101 Corridor B&A Study	Before and After Travel Time Studies to evaluate timing adjustment
TS12-4	Gilbert	$15,875.84	ATKINS	SAN TAN VILLAGE Traffic Signal Re-Timing Data Collection	Collection Turning Movement data at 30 intersections around the SAN TAN Village for 3 weekday time periods. The data will be used for signal optimization by city staff.
TS12-5	Gilbert	$8,999.77	Jacobs	SAN TAN VILLAGE Traffic Signal Re-Timing B&A Study	Before and After Travel Time Studies to evaluate timing adjustment
TS12-6	Chandler	$13,634.31	Jacobs	Chandler North Central Area Signal Re-timing Data Collection	Collection Turning Movement vehicle data and pedestrian counts at 38 intersections in the North Central area for 3 weekday time periods. The data will be used for signal optimization by city staff.
TS12-7	Chandler	$11,434.31	Stantec	Chandler North Central Area Signal Re-timing B&A Study	Before and After Travel Time Studies to evaluate timing adjustment
TS12-8	Peoria	$14,994.70	Michael Baker	Lake Pleasant Parkway signal Timing Optimization	Optimize signal timings of 11 intersections along Lake Pleasant Parkway from Happy Valley Parkway through Beardsley Road for 1 weekend period.
TS12-10	Phoenix	$24,964.24	Ayres	South Phoenix Core SYNCHRO Model & Broadway Road Signal Coordination	Develop SYNCHRO model for Baseline, Southern, Dobbinis, South Mountain and Broadway from the east city limit to west city limit. Optimize timings along Broadway road for 4 weekday periods and 1 weekend period.
TS12-11	Phoenix	$3,968.99	ATKINS	Broadway Road Signal Coordination B&A Study	Before and After Travel Time Studies to evaluate timing adjustment
TS12-12	Tempe	$22,321.99	Kimley-Horn and Associates	Tempe North Priest Drive Traffic signal Optimization	Optimize signal timings along Priest Drive from Baseline to Center Parkway for 3 week day periods.
TS12-13	Tempe	$5,100.00	CK Group	Tempe North Priest Drive Traffic signal Optimization B&A Study	Before and After Travel Time Studies to evaluate timing adjustment
TS12-14	Maricopa County	$25,021.55	YSMA	Anthem signal Timing Optimization	Optimize signal timings along three corridors: Anthem Way, Daisy Mountain and Gavilan Peak Parkway for 4 weeday time periods and 3 weekend time periods.

2011-2012 TSOP Projects

Task Order	Agency	Task Budget	Consultant	Project Title	Project Descriptions
TS11-1	MAG	$9,996.80	Ayres	Regional Synchro Training	Regional SYNCHRO software training workshop
TS11-2	Chandler	$24,920.86	Ayres	Chandler North-South Arterial Signal Re-timing	Collection of Turning Movement Counts at 50 intersections for AM, Midday and PM (2 hours each) - city staff will develop new signal timing based on the data
TS11-3	Gilbert	$25,000.00	Michael Baker	Gilbert Nothwest Zone Signal Re-timing Data Collection	Collection of Turning Movement Counts at 51 intersections for AM, Midday and PM (2 hours each) - city staff will develop new signal timing based on the data
TS11-4	Surprise, Maricopa County, Peoria, ADOT, Glendale, Phoenix	$87,601.13	Lee Engineering	Bell Road Weekend Traffic Signal Timing Plans Development	Saturday AM, PM, mid-day and Sunday all day timing plans for Bell Road, 37 intersections across 5 jurisdictions, approximately 13 miles.
TS11-5	Mesa	$24,904.81	AMEC	Mesa Data Collection for Traffic Signal Re-timing	Approach counts at 96 locations - city staff will develop the signal timing based on the data
TS11-6	Scottsdale, ADOT, SRPMIC	$27,335.05	Stantec	Signal Phasing and Timing for Loop 101 Interchanges	Optimization of 8 freeway-arterial interchanges along Loop 101 Pima Freeway
TS11-7	Tempe	$24,992.54	YSMA	University Drive Signal Re-timing	Update signal timing along University Drive for AM, PM and off-peak
TS11-8	Tempe	$25,970.73	YSMA	Tempe City Wide SYNCHRO Network Update	Update citywide SYNCHRO network and input existing data
TS11-9	Avondale	$33,323.65	Lee Engineering	Avondale Retiming and Implementation	Retime and Implement signal timing along Dysart Road
TS11-10	Glendale, ADOT	$29,048.72	Jacobs	Glendale Data Collection for Special Events	Collection of Turning Movement Counts at 24 intersections around the Glendale sports facilities on a typical day and different event days - city staff will develop new signal timing based on the data
TS11-11	Glendale, ADOT, Peoria	$6,135.22	Jacobs	Glendale Data Collection for 75th Avenue and Union Hills Drive	Turning Movement Counts collection at 9 intersections along 75th Avenue and Union Hills Drive - city staff will develop new signal timing based on the data
TS11-12	Goodyear	$24,809.74	Atkins	Goodyear Data Collection for City Intersections	Turning Movement Counts collection at 63 intersections for AM, Midday and PM - city staff will develop new signal timing based on the data
TS11-13	Phoenix	$18,486.58	Kimley Horn and Associates	Phoenix West Core SYNCHRO Model Development	Develop the SYNCHRO Model for Phoenix West Core and input existing timing and Turning Movement Counts
TS11-14	Phoenix	$24,876.23	Kimley Horn and Associates	Signal Re-timing at McDowell and Van Buren	Develop signal timing for McDowell Rd and Van Buren St; Evaluate the impact of pedestrian requirements in the 2009 MUTCD
TS11-15	Phoenix	$28,123.49	Kimley Horn and Associates	North Centrol Core SYNCHRO Model Development	Develop SYNCHRO model for Phoenix North Central Core and input existing timing and Turning Movement Counts
TS11-16	Surprise	$23,504.27	CK Group	Special Event timing	Optimization of 8 intersections along Bell, Greenway and Litchfield Roads

Resource Library

2012-2013 TSOP Projects

2011-2012 TSOP Projects

2010 TSOP Projects

2009-2010 TSOP Projects

2007-2008 TSOP Projects

2003-2004 TSOP Projects