Adaptive traffic controls are designed to keep traffic moving and ease commutes by using radars, cameras and radio transmitters that are interconnected and able to respond to traffic patterns in real time. The systems have been installed in some bigger cities.

House Bill 2550 is sponsored by Rep. Thomas Mehaffie, R-Dauphin, and Rep. Sheryl Delozier, R-Cumberland, to create the Traffic Signal Modernization Pilot Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

“Under this legislation, local governments in third- through eighth-class counties would be eligible to apply for grants to install adaptive signal control technology and other traffic signal systems that utilize sensors to monitor traffic flow, vehicle delays and queues,” Mehaffie and Delozier wrote in their legislative memorandum. “These systems are able to optimize the timing of traffic signals in real time, which will ensure a smoother flow of traffic.”

PennDOT does have an adaptive traffic signal technology program, though it isn’t available statewide yet. In 2021, PennDOT opened bids for a corridor improvement portion near Interstate 76 to install adaptive signal equipment at 50 locations along the state Route 23 and Gulph Road corridors on the west side of the Schuylkill River.

“https://ogden_images.s3.amazonaws.com/www.timesobserver.com/images/2022/04/12195721/Adaptive-Traffic-Signal-800×400.jpg” alt=”” width=”800″ height=”400″ class=”alignnone size-medium wp-image-822747″ />

The I-76 Corridor plan aims to alleviate tough congestion issues along the Schuylkill Expressway that carries more than 130,000 vehicles a day in Montgomery County. In addition to the adaptive signals on routes adjacent to the expressway, the plan calls for part-time shoulder running, variable speed limits, ramp metering and multi-modal improvements.

“The equipment should be installed and operational by early September, and we’ll use that do the pilot evaluation of PennDOT’s management of corridors,” said Steve Gault, P.E., chief of the Traffic Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) Arterials and Planning Section, on PennDOT’s website.

PennDOT is also working on upgrades to traffic signals along Henry Avenue in Philadelphia and future segments of the overall plan include traffic signal upgrades along both Ridge Pike in Montgomery County and Ridge Avenue in Philadelphia. The overall plan envisions upgrades at roughly 160 locations.

Across Pennsylvania, adaptive signal technology has been installed at approximately 650 locations, Gault said. PennDOT is also paying for local traffic signal improvement through its Green Light-Go Program.

“Using adaptive signal technology is a case-by-case decision on where it is appropriate,” Gault said. “It’s a tool in the tool box … and we need to look at each one to see if it is the right tool to apply in that situation.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

• Daily Newsletter
• Breaking News
• Obituaries

Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

• Yes
• No