Arlington Using Traffic Signal Technology to Go Greener

The city of Arlington has launched a new freight optimization program that uses traffic signal technology to reduce stops and delays for heavy freight vehicles.

The program will specifically target roadways designated as freight routes and freight-oriented development areas in Arlington.

“The technology works with our traffic management system to provide a few more seconds of green time to allow the heavy vehicle to pass through the intersection without stopping,” said Keith Brooks, the city’s public works director, in a news release.

By extending green lights, overall traffic flow will be improved, and it would help save money, time and fuel while reducing greenhouse emissions, the release states.

The city will add the tech to more than 100 traffic signals. However, this process will come at no additional cost to local taxpayers. The North Central Texas Council of Governments is paying for the technology with a U.S. Department of Transportation grant.

Also noteworthy is the system will be fully anonymized in program operations – meaning participant information will not be collected or used for any other purpose.

The program will run through 2028 and is expected to expand to more signals in Arlington and Dallas-Fort Worth.

For example, the city of Tyler launched a similar initiative three years ago and is in the process of upgrading its traffic signal system and retiming traffic signals as part of its Intelligent Traffic System (ITS) Master Plan Study project.

This year, Tyler will upgrade the following pieces of tech:

• Traffic Signal Retiming: 18 intersections.
• ATC Traffic Signal Cabinets and Spare Parts: 15 cabinets.
• Traffic Signal Battery Backup Units and Batteries: 23 units.
• Emergency Vehicle Pre-emption for the Fire Department: 17 units.
• Traffic Signal Controllers: 52 controllers.
• Vehicle Detection Systems: 18 systems.

Also on Tyler’s radar is purchasing new equipment from four vendors via cooperative purchasing programs. The cost of these purchases and upgrades, totaling $1,264,103.90, includes the following:

• A Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. engineering contract for $121,085.00.
• Consolidate Traffic Controls and an HGACBuy purchase for $458,872.50.
• Paradigm Traffic and BuyBoard purchase for $301,374.00.
• Iteris and BuyBoard purchase for $354,950.00.
• Dealers Electric and BuyBoard purchase for $17,822.20.

All ITS Master Plan projects are budgeted in the city’s Half-Cent Sales Tax 10-year program.