Skip to main content

Adaptive signal control report

A study of McCain’s QuicTrac adaptive control software, deployed over a year ago by the Californian city of Temecula, has highlighted the array of benefits achievable through an adaptive system. The survey calculated the arterials’ level of service, measured in delay per vehicle, both pre- and post-deployment, evaluating the systems’ benefit-to-cost ratio and environmental impact.
April 30, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
RSSA study of 5198 McCain’s QuicTrac adaptive control software, deployed over a year ago by the Californian city of Temecula, has highlighted the array of benefits achievable through an adaptive system. The survey calculated the arterials’ level of service, measured in delay per vehicle, both pre- and post-deployment, evaluating the systems’ benefit-to-cost ratio and environmental impact.

Considerable congestion levels and queuing on off-ramps during rush hours led the city of Temecula to seek out a solution that would lower congestion and maximise thoroughfare at minimal expense to the city. McCain’s adaptive signal control system was used to optimise signal timing along 83 intersections spanning 29kms of the city’s busiest corridors, including seven traffic signals located at the I-15 freeway interchange.

QuicTrac adaptive signal control reduced delays at 81.3 per cent of the study intersections, yielding a 14 per cent citywide improvement in travel time, 17 per cent increase in corridor speeds, as well as 29 per cent less stops. In addition, the solution delivered a 30:1 benefit-to-cost ratio to the city and is projected to save commuters US$2.6 million in first year travel time and $437,000 in first year fuel costs.

QuicTrac adaptive control software operates through the collection and analysis of real-time data from field detectors, loops or video, establishing traffic flow and demand. The software then runs a series of advanced algorithms to determine and coordinate optimum signal timing for the entire corridor. By coordinating traffic signals based on current conditions, the technology provides a series of green lights, expediting groups of vehicles through arterials.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Barrier innovation putting traffic safety and flow first
    April 3, 2014
    Cutting-edge barriers offering greater safety at the same time as limiting traffic disruption are proving in demand on busy world highways, as Guy Woodford reports Small footprint; minimum disruption after impact; lower labour costs; all said to be elements contributing to the growing popularity of the Trend terminal from Trinity Highway Products. This family of end terminals offers a range of safe and efficient solutions to barrier ends with quick and easy assembly and installation. Trinity claims th
  • Using technology so assess road surface quality
    April 4, 2014
    Advances in survey technology and the evolving face of road procurement are driving demand for highway condition data. Mark Thomas, infrastructure services manager at Fugro Aperio writes how surveys of new roads can improve long-term quality While a growing suite of non-intrusive testing, measurement and survey technologies are widely used to target highway repairs and to determine asset management strategies, the use of these powerful tools remains patchy in the early stages of the infrastructure life cycl
  • Oklahoma turnpike project for Atkins
    April 12, 2018
    Atkins, part of the SNC-Lavalin Group, is providing construction management services for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA).
  • FOSA win for Fotech
    May 17, 2022
    Fibre-optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) technology from Fotech has proven itself in a UK roadside air quality project, winning an international award along the way.