1. Traffic Signal Operations: An Evaluation of Vehicle Detection Systems
2016 Idaho ITE Conference
Meridian, ID
Kevin Chang, Ph.D., P.E.
Bruce Christensen, P.E.
September 20, 2016

2. Presentation Outline
Background
Project Set-Up
Results
Lessons Learned

3. Thank You

4. “The light wouldn’t change for me.” “I waited over 5 minutes.”
How this all got started
“The light wouldn’t change for me.” “I waited over 5 minutes.”

5. “Our vision is to be the best department of transportation in the country.”

6. ITD Research Funding Unbiased, side by side comparison
Test new technology, especially hybrids
Develop performance spec in District 4, as opposed to low bid

7. Project Location (Moscow, ID)

8. Complicated Setup

10. Defining the Environment
False Detection:
No vehicle present in the detection zone but a call was generated (by a vehicle in an adjacent lane or when no vehicle present)
Missed Detection:
Vehicle physically present in detection zone but call not generated
Zone 2
Zone 1

19. Lessons Learned No silver bullet
Vendors feelings toward products can be revealing
Some vendors sell more than one product
Which do they think is best?

20. Arvind Menon, Max Donath Radar “99.995% detection accuracy”
MinnDOT, CTS 14-07
“Rural Intersection Conflict Warning System (RICWS) Reliability Evaluation”
Arvind Menon, Max Donath
Radar “99.995% detection accuracy”