In Oakland County, Michigan retiming 640 traffic signals during a two-phase project resulted in Carbon monoxide reductions of 1.7 and 2.5 percent, Nitrogen oxide reductions of 1.9 and 3.5 percent, and hydrocarbon reductions of 2.7 and 4.2 percent.

Oakland County, Michigan Traffic Signal Retiming

Date Posted
01/19/2007
Identifier
2007-B00426
TwitterLinkedInFacebook

Red Light, Green Light

Summary Information

This journal article examined how appropriate timing of traffic signals can decrease congestion, improve air quality, and reduce fuel consumption. Example retiming programs in Syracuse, New York and Oakland County, Michigan were highlighted.

FINDINGS

The benefits of improved signal timing have been demonstrated in Oakland County, Michigan and Syracuse, New York.
  • In Oakland County, Michigan, retiming 640 traffic signals during a two-phase project resulted in Carbon monoxide reductions of 1.7 and 2.5 percent, Nitrogen oxide reductions of 1.9 and 3.5 percent, and hydrocarbon reductions of 2.7 and 4.2 percent.
  • In Syracuse, New York, benefits were realized when signal timing was optimized for 145 intersections. Signal retiming decreased the number of stops by 15.7 percent, reduced travel time by 16.7 percent, lowered delay by 18.8 percent, caused a 13.8 percent decline in fuel consumption, and resulted in a 13 percent reduction in vehicle emissions and noise pollution.
Deployment Locations