Assessment of Operational Effectiveness of SynchroGreen Adaptive Signal Control System in South Carolina

Abstract

An adaptive signal control system (ASCS) can adjust signal timings in real time based on traffic demands. The operational benefits of ASCS vary depending on the type of ASCS, corridor characteristics, and geographical area. This paper evaluates the operational performance of 11 ASCS corridors located throughout South Carolina. These corridors are operated using SynchroGreen, one of several types of ASCS, developed by TrafficWare. Based on the operational analysis, it is found that when SynchroGreen is operational, it reduces the travel time on the corridor by an average of 6.4% and improves travel time reliability by an average of 31.4% compared with when the conventional traffic signal control system (e.g., pre-timed and actuated signal control) is operational. SynchroGreen reduces travel time on a corridor on average 61% of the time during a day and on average 77% of the time during peak periods. Additionally, SynchroGreen improves travel time reliability on average 53% of the time during a day and on average 52% of the time during peak periods. The operational effectiveness of SynchroGreen in reducing travel time and improving travel time reliability is consistent in both directions on an hourly basis for eight corridors and five corridors, respectively. Lastly, SynchroGreen is found to produce greater operational benefits by reducing travel time if the average speed of a corridor is lower than or equal to 35 mph and the number of signals on a corridor is more than 10.