What Happened
The city of Lawrence, Kansas, installed an “intelligent transportation system” to assist with traffic flow. The group of cameras were initially installed to monitor traffic flow, but by allowing for control and “synchronization” of traffic flow, they were able avoid expensive improvements like adding driving lanes.
The Details
The Traffic Engineering division of the city of Lawrence has installed cameras at 12 intersections (see map), but expects to grow that number to 21 by the end of the summer. Each intersection is equipped with more than one camera.
The Costs
To illustrate costs, let’s look at the next phase of the Lawrence project. The city is about to begin a major project that adds cameras to every signal on a very busy 23th St, also known as Route 10. The project, which should encompass approximately 10 intersections, is expected to cost $180,000. According to The Lawrence Journal-World, a state grant is paying for all but $30,000 of the cost.
The Benefits
Faster moving traffic are the most clear benefits. The city traffic supervisor can see exactly what is happening at each intersection at real time, and can coordinate or synchronize traffic signals for different times of day—for example, during rush hour—to ensure smooth traffic flow.
The system also provides greater intelligence about traffic flows, and allows for more rapid repair of signals.
There are also non-traffic benefits, although Lawrence is not yet leveraging these. Emergency management could tap into the system, and the cameras can help during storms to scan for flooded intersections or even tornadoes. Law enforcement officials are not using the cameras either, and the city’s traffic center doesn’t typically record footage.
Next Steps & Action Items
The U.S. Department of transportation has a website dedicated to “intelligent transportations systems” that is worth visiting.
There is also a nonprofit called the Intelligent Transportation Society of America that advocates deploying technology like that used in Lawrence.
A very detailed white paper from The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation can be found here. Weighing in at 58 pages, the document explores solutions in place in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and elsewhere, and provides market data that might help in justifying a move in your city or town.
Speaking of China, a case study of an implementation there is available as well. Keep in mind that the study was written by the technology company that implemented the system, so it’s quite self-promotional.
Related more specifically to the article above, visit the Lawrence, KA traffic site, or read the original coverage in The Lawrence-Journal World. And if you’d like to speak with someone in the Lawrence traffic division, contact Transporation Engineer David Woosley (785) 832-3034.
Has your city or town implemented a similar Intelligent Transportation System? If so, contact us so Gov1 readers can learn from your experiences.