Benefits of the Texas Traffic Light Synchronization (TLS) Grant Program I: Volume III, Appendices F-G (0258-3)

The Texas Department of Transportation (fxOOT) was the administering agency for the Traffic Light Synchronization (fLS) Program, which was funded with Oil Overcharge funds made available by the Governor's Energy Office. The TLS Program was approved by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) as part of a package of transportation related programs with the objective of reducing energy consumption. This grant program provided the sum of $5.2 million to local city governments across the state for the optimization of traffic signal timing plans and the replacement of outdated signal controller equipment. As stated previously, the program's objective was to reduce traffic congestion and facilitate the flow of traffic, with the goal of achieving more efficient use of energy resources. With 166 completed projects, the TLS Program has seen results that will pay for the cost of the program many times over. These results were estimated from the required "Before" and "After" studies that were submitted by the cities. These studies document the major goals of the TLS Program -- reductions in fuel consumption and unnecesary delay and stops. All projects were evaluated using the same unit costs. The TLS Program resulted in 2,243 signals in 44 cities being retimed; the expenditure of $7.9 million of program funds and local matches; and annual reductions in fuel consumptions, delay, and stops of 9.1 percent (30 million gallons), 24.6 percent (43 million hours), and 14.2 percent (1.7 billion stops), respectively. The total savings to the public in the form of reduced fuel, delay, and stops will be approximately $485 million in the next year alone. In regard to fuel savings, Texas motorists are realizing $3.81 in savings for every dollar spent, and if stops and delay are included, Texas motorists are realizing $62 in savings for every dollar spent. These savings will continue to accrue in future years without any additional expenditures; therefore, the benefits to the public will be even greater. This report is in three volumes. The other volumes are: Benefits of the Texas Traffic Light Synchronization (fLS) Grant Program I: Volume I. Executive Summary and Appendices A-D Benefits of the Texas Traffic Light Synchronization (fLS) Grant Program I: Volume II. Appendix E