I. Travel Time Determinations on London Bridge Road and_i-264 Corridor using of Bluetooth Detection Devices

Transcription

1 October/November/December 2016 I. Travel Time Determinations on London Bridge Road and_i-264 Corridor using of Bluetooth Detection Devices The TMC recently installed blue tooth devices for a pilot project on the London Bridge Road/I-264/Lynnhaven Parkway/Great Neck Road corridors in the vicinity of the I-264 ramp. The focus here is to develop vehicle travel time information by re-identifying blue tooth devices (such as cell phones, computers, hands-free headsets, and even vehicles themselves) between multiple sites. Blue tooth is very easy and cheap, generates true travel time, and there is no database anywhere associating blue tooth devices with their owners. Bluetooth detection sensors detect any "discoverable" Bluetooth-enabled devices within a radius of about 328 feet (100 meters), if using a high-powered antenna. Detection range can be reduced by using a lower gain antenna. Measuring the travel time of an individual vehicle along a road segment is as simple as comparing the time when the vehicle is detected at the beginning of the segment to the time when the vehicle is detected at the end of the segment. Dividing the length of the segment by the vehicle's travel time yields an average speed for the segment. George Hardin installing and programming a typical Bluetooth device

2 Blue tooth Detection Device Area Map Seventeen (17) installation sites The goal of the TMC is to be able to use the travel time data to track weekly travel times against a 12 week travel time average. This will enable the development of a metric on traffic signal performance that will show the efficiency of the traffic signal timings. Areas with increasing travel times could be an indicator of timing issues, detection equipment issues, or intercestion capacity issues. 2

3 II. Rosemont Road and Holland Road Traffic Signal Replacement In the continuing effort by the Public Works Traffic Management Operations division to upgrade and improve traffic safety in the City of Virginia Beach, another signalized intersection was recently upgraded. This existing signal system was at Rosemont Road and Holland Road and has been on the division radar for many years to be upgraded due to its age, functionality, overhead utility conflicts, level of service (traffic flow and progression), and continual safety concerns. This effort involved both City staff as well as contractors to accomplish the recent replacement. The City used one of its annual services contractor to install all new underground conduits and new signal pole foundations. Once these were in place City forces proceeded with installing new poles/mast arm structures at all four corners and installing new traffic signals of which included new flashing yellow arrow beacons for left turn traffic movements and reflectorized back plates on the signals for improved visibility. This intersection received new signal control and vehicle detection upgrades as well as new pedestrian signals and detection equipment. With the new infrastructure both future maintenance will be lessened and traffic safety will be improved at one of the more problematic intersections in the City. Since this was a shared project between a contractor and City the overall costs were reduced. The final project cost was just under $145,000 whereas if done only by a contractor the estimated costs were over $280,000 for this signal replacement. Before Photograph Span Wire intersection After Photograph Mast Armed intersection 3

4 III. Emergency-Vehicle Hybrid Beacon Project at Haygood Fire & Rescue Station At the request of Ferry Plantation residents to investigate a high number of crashes at the intersection of Haygood Road and Ferry Plantation Road, staff investigated this intersection and determined that there have been several red light running crashes due to the proximity of the flashing yellow emergency traffic control at the Haygood Fire Station & Rescue Squad and confusion with the fully operational traffic signal at Ferry Plantation Road approx. 200 ft. from the flashing yellow emergency signals. This issue was also brought to our attention by the Fire Captain. Staff from Traffic Operations & Traffic Engineering programmed a project to replace the existing yellow flashing signals at this fire station with an Emergency-vehicle hybrid beacons to improve traffic safety at this location. The new traffic control signal remains in a dark mode (no indications displayed) condition until it is actuated. Upon actuation by authorized emergency personnel, the emergency-vehicle hybrid beacon faces shall each display a flashing yellow signal indication, followed by a steady yellow change interval, prior to displaying two CIRCULAR RED signal indications in an alternating flashing array for a duration of time adequate for egress of the emergency vehicles. The alternating flashing red signal indications shall only be displayed when it is required that drivers on the major street stop and then proceed subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a STOP sign. Upon termination of the flashing red signal indications, the emergency-vehicle hybrid beacons shall revert to a dark mode (no indications displayed) condition. Traffic Operations completed this installation at this location early September and has already received positive feedback. We plan to expand this project to other Fire Stations & Rescue Squads and at new installations. Normal Condition Dark/Unlit Display 4

5 Yellow Display- Beginning Actuation Stop Condition Indication for Main Line Traffic 5

6 IV. Traffic Management Operations Division Response Information Some of the vital statistics we addressed October thru December Number of Traffic Counts Completed Number of turning movement counts completed Number of Hits on the Traffic Data Database hits from October thru December ,273 hits since program inception (July 2009) 4. Number of Utility Locate Tickets (Miss Utility) Received/Checked/Marked 4790/538/ Number of Traffic Signal Preventive Maintenance Actions completed Number of Traffic Signal Work Orders Received Number of Traffic Sign Work Orders Completed Linear feet of Thermoplastic Applied to Roadway 26, Provided event support for the following Special Events a. Last Night on the Town b. Holiday Lights c. Surf n Santa 6