Project.  Signal prioritization completed

Principal investigator. Dr. John Collura, Virginia Tech, 703-538-8457, jcollura@vt.edu

External contact. none

Project objective. To assist the Washington D.C. region in considering the use of advanced technologies to implement signal preemption and other vehicle priority strategies along signalized arterials in the Washington, D.C. region.

Project abstract. The study will include an assessment of in-vehicle and traffic signal system technologies available to accommodate varying levels of vehicle priority control at signalized intersections. In addition, the study includes an evaluation of the costs and benefits associated with alternative vehicle priority levels. An underlying aim of the study is to assist the Region=s ITS Task Force in understanding the merits and limitations associated with the use of advanced in-vehicle and traffic signal systems to deploy vehicle priority strategies in the Region.

Tasks. 1) identify and review institutional issues and concerns, stakeholders, and vehicle priority needs and requirements; 2) assess available technologies currently used in the U.S. and abroad to provide vehicle priority treatments at signalized intersections and determine the extent to which these technologies meet the vehicle priority needs/requirements; 3) conduct an extensive simulation analysis evaluation of alternative vehicle priority strategies and treatments at signalized intersections on selected arterial(s); 4) conduct extensive operational field tests to evaluate alternative priority strategies and levels; and 5) develop broad guidelines to assist the ITS Task Force in the planning and design of vehicle priority strategies and treatments along signalized arterials in the Region.

Milestones. It is not feasible at this time to break the schedule down into the five tasks described above.

Student involvement. none

Budget. Note that besides the budget shown below the City of Arlington, Virginia, may pay $60,000 for the conduct of a field test.

$100,000

Relationship to other research projects. no immediate relationship.

Technology transfer. Transmittal to National Capital Region transportation operating and planning officials. Possible publication in professional journal.

Potential benefits. Signal priority for emergency vehicles offers possible enhanced safety at intersections. Signal priority for transit offers improved efficiency and travel times for transit.

TRB keywords: ITS, signals