Signal Timing Briefs
March 2010 - T10-1 Ralston Road from Pierce Street to West 56th Avenue Traffic signal timing and coordination improvements are key to increasing the efficiency of the Denver metro area's arterial roadways. Coordinated signals allow traffic to move smoothly from one signal to the next, reducing how often and how long drivers must stop at signals. Since 1989, the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) has spearheaded the region's efforts to improve traffic signal timing and coordination.
Longmont N
287( Boulder Ralston Rd Broomfield Thornton Westminster
Pierce St
93 Arvada
Sheridan Blvd
Lamar St 58 Denver
5900 North Lakewood (Hill Petroleum)
Aurora Wadsworth Bypass
56th Ave Littleton
Parker City of Arvada signal CDOT signal
83
Project Partners: City of Arvada, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)
Situation: In the project area, Ralston Road is a principal arterial roadway that provides access to Wadsworth Bypass (SH 121) and Sheridan Boulevard (SH 95). Land use on the project's eastern end is composed of commercial and industrial property, as well as natural areas, wetlands and open space. The western end of the corridor is primarily residential.
Project Specifics: Upgraded the traffic signal system control and communications equipment and retimed six traffic signals.
Traffic Volume: Each day, Ralston Road carries approximately 12,700 vehicles just east of Pierce Street and approximately 8,300 vehicles just east of Lamar Street.
Denver Regional of Governments 1290 Broadway Suite 700 Denver CO 80203-5606 phone: 303.455.1000 fax: 303.480.6790 web: www.drcog.org Ralston Road from Pierce Street to West 56th Avenue
Timing Revision: Midday/Off-Peak Morning Peak Evening Peak Period Before After Before After Before After 6:00 – 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Time Period (No Change) (No Change) (No Change) Cycle Length 100/free* 90 90/free* 90 120/free* 90 (seconds) Other Timing -- Revised -- Revised -- Revised Parameters
* Signals at 5900 North and West 56th Avenue were operating in actuated (free) mode before the new signal coordination plans were implemented by this project.
Travel Time and Speed Improvements (0.9 miles end to end): Improvements were achieved during all three time periods evaluated except for the eastbound morning peak period, when the travel time was unchanged.
Morning Peak Off-Peak Evening Peak Morning Peak Off-Peak Evening Peak 150
116 110 103 95 94 97 100 89 89 93 88 87 83
(Seconds)
Travel Time
50
0 Eastbound Westbound Before After
Summary of Daily Benefit Performance Measures Daily Benefits Vehicle hours of travel 35 hours reduction Fuel consumption 18 gallons decrease Time and fuel costs $750 savings Total pollutant emissions 55 pounds reduction
Overall Improvements: The value to motorists, in terms of weekday time and fuel savings, is calculated to be approximately $750 daily or about $190,000 annually. An additional benefit of the project is improved reliability of signal operations, thanks to equipment upgrades. These upgrades allow traffic signal malfunctions to be quickly detected and reported. This results in less stopping and delays for the traveling public.