The California PASS Program deployed intelligent traffic signal systems throughout the Bay Area to achieve benefit-to-cost ratios ranging from 12:1 to 105:1.

The Program for Arterial System Synchronization (PASS) provides technical and financial assistance to Bay Area agencies to help improve the safe and efficient operation of traffic signal systems and corridors.

Date Posted
08/30/2017
Identifier
2017-B01166
TwitterLinkedInFacebook

Program for Arterial System Synchronization (PASS) FY 14/15 Cycle - Fact Sheets

Summary Information

The Bay Area’s Program for Arterial System Synchronization (PASS) assisted three local counties with retiming their traffic signals to help improve the safe and efficient operation of traffic signal systems and corridors. The program consisted of eleven different projects that encompassed the synchronization of 306 traffic signals.

As a part of each project, traffic counts were collected in the field to understand the traffic patterns and volumes along the corridors. The 7-day 24-hour volume counts (Average Daily Traffic), peak periods turning movement counts, including vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle counts, and historical collision data were then analyzed. Based on the analysis, newly optimized signal timing coordination plans were developed and implemented based on the 2014 California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) guidelines.

The cumulative results from the 11 projects were as follows:

  • Total Auto Travel Time Savings: 16 percent (over 1.5 million hours)
  • Average Auto Speed Increase: 28 percent
  • Total Auto Fuel Consumption Savings: 12 percent (over 5.2 million gallons)
  • Total Auto Emissions Reduction: 192.4 tons (17.3 tons Reactive Organic Gas, 11.9 tons NOx, 0.7 tons PM2.5, and 162.5 tons CO).

The table below details the individual Projects and their corresponding benefit-to-cost ratios:

# County Project Sponsors # of signals Timing Plans/Services B/C Ratios
1 Alameda Alameda County, Caltrans 12 Weekday Peaks 20:1
2 Contra Costa City of Antioch, City of Pittsburg, Caltrans 10 Weekday Peaks 34:1
3 Contra Costa City of Concord 53 Weekday Peaks; School PM Peak; Weekend Peaks 46:1
4 Alameda City of Fremont, Caltrans 8 Weekday Peaks 97:1
5 Alameda City of Oakland, Caltrans 41 Weekday Peaks; Weekend Peaks 29:1
6 San Mateo City of San Bruno, Caltrans 15 Weekday Peaks 12:1
7 Contra Costa City of San Ramon, Caltrans 21 Weekday Peaks; School PM Peak; Weekend Peaks 35:1
8 San Mateo City of South San Francisco, Caltrans 38 Weekday Peaks; Weekend Peaks 45:1
9 Alameda City of Union City, City of Hayward, Caltrans 19 Weekday Peaks 35:1
10 Contra Costa City of Walnut Creek, Caltrans 27 Traffic Responsive 30:1
11 Contra Costa City of Walnut Creek, Caltrans 62 Weekday Peaks; Weekend Peaks 105:1
Results Type
Deployment Locations