CrossTown Traffic - “Braking News You Can Use”

Steven W. Cummins, P.E.

Traffic Signal Systems Manager

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

Division of Traffic Engineering

September 20, 2005

Crown Communities Award

APWA – 2005 Project of the YearTechnical Category

Other Recognitions include:

National Traffic Signal Report Grade of (90%)

Men’s Health Magazine – 2004 (4th Best City in Nation relative to Traffic)

5th Shortest Commute time in cities of 250,000 or more in population

Lexington’s Traffic Management Goals

• Enhance roadway safety• Improve air quality• Reduce travel time

Lexington-Fayette Metro Area

Today… Fayette County has an estimated population of 270,000

This is a 18% increase since 1990

Causes of Traffic Congestion

RECURRING:

• Insufficient capacity

• Unrestrained demand

• Ineffective management of capacity (e.g. poor signal timing)

NON-RECURRING:

• Incidents

• Work zones

• Weather events

• Special events

• Emergencies

Incidents

42 collisions per day

150 emergency runs

33 motorist assists

25 lane blockages

WHICH LEADS TO:

DELAYS

AIR POLLUTION

COLLISIONS

CrossTown Traffic Mission

• To assist motorists in making the best and safest decisions before leaving and while driving in Lexington and Central Kentucky

• To provide the most timely and accurate traffic or congestion-related information

The Media

Traffic Management Center reports reach over 1/3 of the state.

Lexington

The “Golden Triangle”

Louisville

Lexington

Cincinnati

Computerized Signal System/ Mapping

Internet/ Real Audio

Fire CARS/511

Fayette County Schools Ky. DOT

Transit

Two-way Radios

Surveillance Cameras

Fax Machine

GTV3 CROSSTOWNTRAFFIC

Highway Advisory Radio

Scanners

Internet Traffic Site

PoliceRWIS Systems (Weather)

Wireless Technology/ Telephone Lines

Traffic Hotline

Variable Message Signs

AAA

Lexington Area Traffic Management

CenterV

CrossTown Traffic Team

Jim Voskul, Executive Producer

Julianne Hatton, Host

Campbell Welsh, Traffic Info. Specialist

Albert Mason, Traffic Signal Tech Sr.

Executive Production Console

Traffic Information • 27 radio and 4 TV stations receive reports

• GTV3 – 90,000 viewers on cable

• CrossTown Traffic

• Traffic Hotline

• Internet

• 511/CARS updates

CrossTown Traffic Format

• 7:05 -- Impacts with host

• 7:10 -- Live look with music

• 7:15 -- Video feature

• 7:20 -- Live look with music

• 7:25 -- LFUCG Today

• 7:30 -- Re-open and live look

Traffic Management Center

Server Room – The Old Way

Server Room – The Right Way

Computerized Traffic Signals

• The division operates and maintains 348 signalized intersections.

• New signal timing plans are implemented on several arterials annually.

• Developed 500 timing plan modifications and revisions in FY 2004.

• The system runs six plans per day, plus timing for numerous special events.

Special Events

•Program signals

•Traffic reports to media

•Monitor with cameras and make adjustments if necessary

•Officer posted in TMC

UK Football Pre-Game Plan

Airplane CrashAugust 30, 2002Versailles Road closedfor 30 hours for subsequent investigation.

Incident Management Signing

Accuracy is important …

Questions ???