DOT solicits adaptive traffic system
The state Department of Transportation will allocate up to $5 million for a new traffic light control system on the South Boston waterfront that would adapt signals to changing traffic patterns and volume to better move vehicles through the neighborhood.
The agency is soliciting vendor information on an adaptive signal control technology system that uses additional detection equipment to continuously monitor traffic signals and have them respond to traffic demand throughout the day — adjusting for peak and off-peak commuter travel hours, events at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center or World Trade Center, or cruise ship and other tourism traffic.
The system would be implemented at up to 39 intersections.
The city’s current urban traffic control system dates to the 1970s. Monitored and controlled by the Boston Transportation Department, it uses historic traffic volumes for the time of day to determine how long traffic lights stay green.
“The current system ... does have some ability to fluctuate a few seconds here or there depending on what is being picked up, but it’s limited in how flexible it can be,” said Neil Boudreau, MassDOT’s assistant administrator for traffic and safety engineering. “An adaptive system is completely flexible to respond to a dynamic situation. If you had an accident, or construction closed a lane, this will adapt to those changes in patterns.”
MassDOT plans to include a requirement that would give signal priority to MBTA buses, and the system would recognize pedestrian and bike traffic.
The $5 million would cover the system’s installation and three years of operation and maintenance.