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Cooperative program to
synchronize and coordinate traffic light timing Improved air quality and
reduction in driver delays expected
December 23, 2005 (Dallas) Drivers in
Dallas will soon catch a break as the City’s Public Works and
Transportation (PW&T) Department is participating in a program that will
eventually analyze and upgrade the timing of 725 of the City’s 1,300
signalized intersections through the Thoroughfare Assessment Program,
according to PW&T Director David Dybala.
As part of the Federal Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality program, the
city is partnering with the federal government, Dallas Area Rapid
Transit (DART) and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The
regional program, including other North Texas cities is administered by
the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG).
“The overall effect of the project is to improve air quality, helping
the City comply with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
requirements,” said Dybala. “An added benefit of this will be a
reduction of overall driver delays,” he added.
Following the upgrade, commuters should experience a reduction of travel
time when driving through coordinated signal systems. Better signal
synchronization usually results in fewer collisions since there will be
smoother traffic flow and fewer stops. Environmentally, these
improvements will result in less idling by vehicles, reduced air
pollution, less gas consumption and cost savings.
The 725 intersections located throughout the City were selected on the
basis of changing traffic/growth patterns, length of time since previous
timing updates, and arterial streets that extend through a bordering
city.
Phase I of the analysis and upgrade began with a pilot program a few
years ago when NCTCOG hired a consultant to analyze signals in the North
Dallas/Carrollton area resulting in about a dozen retimed Dallas
signals.
Phase II consists of a 119 signal implementation and is expected to be
completed in early 2006 including Coit Rd., Hampton Rd., Illinois Ave.
and the Oak Lawn Area.
Phase III will include 147 signals and is scheduled to begin in the
spring of 2006 including Ledbetter, Harry Hines, and the North Dallas
area bounded by the Dallas North Tollway, US 75, IH 635 and NW Hwy.
Phase IV includes 459 signals and is scheduled to begin in the fall of
2006 including Camp Wisdom, Wheatland, Westmoreland, South Buckner,
Central Business District, Industrial, Greenville Ave., Forest Ln. and
the area north of IH 635.
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