The NJ State Transportation Innovation Council recently held its 2019 Spring Meeting. After the welcome and introductions, the FHWA provided a brief update of the status of Every Day Counts (EDC-5) Innovative Initiatives, noting that progress reports are quickly approaching for the initial six-month milestone period (January-June, 2019).
Short presentations were given by the three Core Innovation Area (CIA) Teams -- Safety, Mobility & Operations, and Infrastructure Preservation -- reporting on the activities planned and underway to meet commitments for the current EDC-5 round. The Mobility & Operations CIA Team gave a featured presentation on "Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures (ATSPMs)" that described current research in-progress that seeks to identify and develop metrics, guidelines, and deployment strategies for real-time monitoring of traffic signal performance based on existing infrastructure resources and the transportation agency's needs.
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) and the Burlington County Engineering Office jointly delivered the featured Local Public Agency presentation on "Signal Timing in Burlington County". The presentation described a traffic signal timing optimization project funded through DVRPC that followed a six-step signal timing process. The project used a rapid field assessment method that involved real-time coordination with traffic operations control to fine-tune signal timings to safely improve travel times. Key findings, lessons and the benefits of the project as well as a before and after video demonstrating improved travel times were shared with those in attendance.
The Bureau of Research described recent outreach and coordination efforts being taken at the National STIC network level and by the New Jersey STIC to raise awareness of the EDC-5 Innovative Initiatives, model practices and available resources. The NJDOT Technology Transfer website's NJ STIC Outreach and Coordination webpage has more information on these activities. To foster knowledge-sharing, attendees were also encouraged to complete the "STIC Innovative Initiatives Survey" that was launched recently. The survey is targeted to Local Public Agencies and seeks to identify examples of successful implementation of innovative practices, among other topics. The meeting closed with a Roundtable discussion that highlighted the value that the NJ STIC can bring in convening and sharing innovative practices among its diverse set of stakeholders.
The next two upcoming STIC meetings are scheduled for August 8 and November 19, 2019.
The NJ STIC Spring Meeting Presentations can be found here or in sections below along with Burlington County's before and after video of their signal optimization.
Welcome; Roundtable Recap; FHWA Update
CIA Team Update: Safety
CIA Team Update: Mobility and Operations
CIA Team Update: Infrastructure Preservation
Automated Signal Timing Performance Measures
Signal Timing in Burlington County
