Implementation of Traffic Responsive Control on TxDOT Closed-Loop Systems (5-4421-01-2)

TxDOT research project 0-4421 "A Simplified Approach for Selecting Optimal Traffic Responsive Control Parameters" developed procedures and guidelines for setting up and operating coordinated systems with the traffic responsive plan selection (TRPS) mode. This project implemented the TRPS mode at four locations in Texas using customized versions of the guidelines developed in research project 0-4421. Customization of the guidelines was necessary to account for the difference in certain site characteristics (e.g., available system detectors) between the implementation sites and the general site for which the original guidelines were developed. Locations were selected to represent a range of traffic conditions, arterial and detector configurations, and the two common controller types (Eagle and Naztec) used by TxDOT. The performance of the TRPS mode was evaluated by a comparison of average instantaneous and link speeds and delays determined before and after the implementation of the traffic responsive control. The before-after analyses indicated that the performance of the TRPS mode was in most cases better or at least as good as the existing systems. A step-by-step field manual to guide field technicians through the process of configuring their controllers to run a TRPS control was also developed and delivered to TxDOT to facilitate the implementation of the TRPS guidelines.