INTEGRATED REGIONAL SIGNAL SYSTEM BENEFITS OF REGIONAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL TIMING

Traffic signal management systems have been proven to demonstrate significant benefits from the coordination of traffic signal operations. However, with the continued growth of the various urban areas in the Metro Vancouver area and the installation of an increasing number of signalized intersections, there is a growing need to coordinate the traffic signal operations between adjacent municipalities and agencies. The goal of the Integrated Regional Signal System (IRSS) program is to make better use of available information and communications technologies to provide a 'system of systems' that facilitates coordinated operation between individual municipalities and jurisdictional agencies, while also allowing the individual agencies to maintain their autonomy with respect to signal control equipment selection and signal timing plan implementation. Utilizing a centre-to-centre communications protocol that provides for the integration and interoperability of existing traffic signal management systems, the IRSS allows individual agencies to:  Share information and data that encourages coordinated operations across jurisdictional boundaries;  Coordinate operations along regional traffic corridors across jurisdictional boundaries through access to a common time source; and  Send and receive event notices to/from adjacent municipalities and/or agencies to trigger special pre-approved timing plans. The IRSS Pilot System was implemented along the following two corridors in the Langley area in BC, which include eleven signalized intersections belonging to four jurisdictions:  200 Street, from 66 Avenue to Fraser Highway; and  Fraser Highway, from 64 Avenue to 200 Street. As part of the pilot project, ‘before and after’ assessments showed a significant improvement to regional traffic flows along these two corridors, including reductions in vehicle travel times, delays and stops, and an estimated annual reduction of over 6 million kg of greenhouse gases. This paper will present an overview of the IRSS operations and summarize the results of the ‘before and after’ studies with a focus on the benefits including the estimated GHG reductions attributed to improved signal coordination.