National Traffic Signal Report Card Talking Operations Seminar Traffic Signal Report Card Overview

National Traffic Signal Report Card: Purpose Determine how well the nation supports signals Build a case for more attention and investment Provide a benchmarking tool for agencies

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card: Self Assessment Self Assessment Emphasis Areas 1.Management 2.Signal Operation at Individual Intersections 3.Signal Operation in Coordinated Systems 4.Signal Timing Practices 5.Traffic Monitoring and Data Collection 6.Maintenance All responses were anonymous

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card Participants 378 Responses 49 states represented 242 cities 62 counties Good distribution between Population Signal system size

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card Overall score was D- Management & detection scored lowest Individual Intersections scored highest

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card: Why such a low score? Signals turn green, yellow and red BUT …… They are not generally operating as an efficient, well- integrated system Proactive management is limited Resources are mostly spent providing minimum levels of maintenance and fighting fires

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card Large systems scored higher than national Small systems noticeably lower

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card Fairly equal scoring States slightly higher in some categories

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card: Other Findings Management: F 68% have no documented management plan or manage “ ad hoc ” Coordinated Operations: D- 50%+ do not conduct timing reviews every 3-5 years

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card: Other Findings Individual Intersections: C- 75% have no documented process to trigger timing reviews Monitoring & Detection: F 1/3 have no regular process for collecting data for timing Maintenance: D+ Agencies operate with minimum staffing

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card: What We Learned Nation doesn ’ t support signal operations well Agencies manage signals by fighting fires Resource limitations result in inefficient operations Small investments will have big benefits (40:1 B/C) We can do better!

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card: More Resources Needed Signal Hardware - $265m/year Timing Updates - $200m/year Maintenance - $500m/year Total - $965m/year $104B/year currently spent on highway transportation

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card If the nation had the resources for a high score: Delay would decrease by 15-20% Travel time would reduce up to 25% Emissions would reduce up to 22% Fuel consumption would reduce up to 10%

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card Media Relations Prep Press packages sent to participants Publicize to all practitioners Report released to participants National press conference (April 05)

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card Media Relations - Advance AP story Radio interviews Daybook, , faxes, calls Media Relations – day of conference Press conference (cameras from 8 outlets) Interviews (TV, radio, print) Follow up interviews throughout the week

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card Media Relations Results AP story used throughout US USA Today (p. 3) National TV & Radio (ABC, FOX, Good Morning America, CNN, Osgood File) 400+ local TV stories 300+ local print stories

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card Participant Evaluation – 193 Responses 50% found assessment tool useful 84% said assessment tool was “ reasonably ” or “ very ” accurate 67% recommend 3-5 year repeat

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card Media attention received 56% no attention 30% print 24% TV 17% Radio Local Media outreach 77% no outreach 13% press release 3% press conference

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card 28% said media attention provided chance to make the case Will the report card assist in getting more resources? 5% yes 35% maybe 39% unlikely 22% no

2005 National Traffic Signal Report Card Evaluation 57% said report card was good for their agency 67% recommend 3-5 year repeat 78% said assessment tool was good for transportation community 84% said assessment tool was “ reasonably ” or “ very ” accurate 95% would participate again

NTOC Traffic Signal Action Team Next Task Traffic Signal Audit Guide Field Oriented Outcome Oriented Done by an independent team Usable to identify ways to improve Scope – Evaluate operations and safety at the intersection, corridor, and/or system levels

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