MASSTR - Meadowlands (NJ) Adaptive Signal System for Traffic Reduction

[jeffandnicole]

A newspaper story and info regarding an integrated network of 160 or so signals in the Meadowlands region.

http://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2014/10/traffic_signals_have_sped_up_meadowlands_traffic_even_on_17_officials_say.html#incart_river

http://masstr.njmeadowlands.gov/NJMC%20MASSTR%20Overview%20-%20Jan%202014.pdf

I believe they are setting up a similar-type system in South Jersey along Routes 130 & 168 around the 295/76/42 construction area.  From what I can tell though, it doesn't appear to be online as of yet.

[tradephoric]

A newspaper story and info regarding an integrated network of 160 or so signals in the Meadowlands region.

http://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2014/10/traffic_signals_have_sped_up_meadowlands_traffic_even_on_17_officials_say.html#incart_river

http://masstr.njmeadowlands.gov/NJMC%20MASSTR%20Overview%20-%20Jan%202014.pdf

I believe they are setting up a similar-type system in South Jersey along Routes 130 & 168 around the 295/76/42 construction area.  From what I can tell though, it doesn't appear to be online as of yet.

Just remember this:  Garbage IN = Garbage OUT.

A major adaptive system like this really requires accurate data to operate correctly.  Unfortunately, it can be difficult to maintain stable communications and accurate detection.  One flickering detector on a side-street and the system might allocate 80% of the green time to the sub-street and 20% to the major corridor during the PM rush... yeah, not good!  At the very least, a lot of safe guards need to be put in place which ends up limiting the effectiveness of the adaptive system. 

[akotchi]

The intersections along U.S. 1&9T and Route 440 that are impacted by the Pulaski Skyway closure and detour were added to the Meadowlands system to be brought on-line during the closure and detour.

[jeffandnicole]

A major adaptive system like this really requires accurate data to operate correctly.  Unfortunately, it can be difficult to maintain stable communications and accurate detection.  One flickering detector on a side-street and the system might allocate 80% of the green time to the sub-street and 20% to the major corridor during the PM rush... yeah, not good!  At the very least, a lot of safe guards need to be put in place which ends up limiting the effectiveness of the adaptive system. 

Very true, although I would think a staffed monitoring room would be able to override any issues until the problem can be fixed.

[tradephoric]

Very true, although I would think a staffed monitoring room would be able to override any issues until the problem can be fixed.

At any given time, 5-10% of the system may be offline due to faulty communications (IE. major storms roll through, radio antenna's need to be adjusted, etc.).  Those 5-10% effect surrounding signals so it really turns into 10-20% of the system not running adaptively at any given time.  Repeat that scenario with faulty detection.  In addition, many of the control rooms aren't being monitored 24/7 so any problems that do arise won't be seen right away.

[tradephoric]

In regards to accuracy, the viewing angle of the cameras makes it impossible to distinguish between two closely vehicles.  This will lead to inaccurate counts.  The system will under-count since the cameras won't be able to distinguish gaps between a line of closely spaced vehicles traveling through the intersection.  Here's the concept: