Mobility is a challenge for growing cities – and Edmond is no different.
With regular population growth, more people move in the streets and neighborhoods. The challenges are something that city staff is well aware, and they are in the midst of a technological upgrade that can help relieve some of these challenges.
The intelligent transport system of the city of Edmond (ITS) began to take shape in 2006. Today, almost two decades later, the city is equipped with some of the best systems in the industry.
“This is traffic signaling technology that allows you to program complex signals, safety and real -time comments,” said Steve Lawrence, director of engineering in the city of Edmond. “Its implementation reduces vehicle delays at 40% intersections during peak hours and 75% during peak hours. The implementation of its previous phases reduced collisions by 50% to these intersections. ”
It includes the use of field devices, communication infrastructure and IT systems to improve road safety and mobility during congestioned periods, construction activities, maintenance activities and incidents such as traffic collisions and other emergencies. Its aid in overall road network surveillance for failures and provides tools to allow the modification of traffic models.
“It is a question of creating a connected network that may think and react in real time,” said Corson Smith, principal transport engineer for the city of Edmond. “Field devices, signals, cameras and fiber optic communications all work together to give us a live image of what is happening on the roads. This allows us to instantly respond to congestion, to be able to adjust the timing of the signal, and even to prioritize emergency vehicles – all from the traffic management center. It is a smarter and faster way to maintain traffic and secure people. ” “”
The traffic management center (TMC) – which will soon be located in the new town hall engineering service section – is the place where traffic will be monitored for traffic incidents and other traffic congestion problems. Monitoring is carried out via a network of fiber optic cables that will allow information to pass traffic lights to the TMC and return to traffic lights.
If an incident or congestion problem is detected, the situation will be assessed and if an adjustment can be made to help keep traffic away from this situation or around this situation, an appropriate adjustment will be made.
The other advantages include school zone and devices on fire trucks that “preempt” traffic lights to get green to approach emergency vehicles. This technology has improved the response time for the first stakeholders. The system also informs engineers of equipment failures.
“Its technology allows signals to be programmed to allow pedestrians a” head of the head “to cross security,” said Lawrence. “It is proven that the head-up-and-in-law intervals increase the safety of pedestrians. Real -time comments to EDMOND traffic engineers allow traffic signals to be checked around events such as sports tournaments, construction and collisions. It also allows data collection to further improve traffic flow and security. ”
The work on phase IV of sound began in March. This target phase 19 Intersections along the corridor of the 33rd rue de Broadway at the I-35, as well as key stretching along avenue Bryant (15th Street in Danforth Road), boulevard (33rd rue at 2e rue), and Danform (boulevard in Bryant Avenue).
As part of the current upgrade, the entrepreneur will start by installing conduits for fiber optic cables along the Danform corridor. From there, they will move south on avenue Bryant around 15th rue, then proceed along the corridors 33rd Street and Boulevard.
To minimize the disturbances of daily journeys, the entrepreneur will replace the signaling cupboards on Sunday. This strategic planning guarantees that major work is done when traffic is lighter, which reduces the impact on travel plans.
“We are progressing regularly on the project and currently providing for completion in August 2026,” said Smith. “At this point, we have finished 20% of the installation of the box and the traction box, and overall, the project is complete at around 5%.”
The upgrades include the installation of 16 miles of fiber optic cables, 43 miles of electric cables, 19 new cupboards and traffic controllers, 8 school zone systems, 39 flashing left -handed shooting signals and 197 pedestrian signals compliant with ADA with audible message for the visually impaired. Additional features include video surveillance cameras, radar vehicle detection, bicycle detection, emergency pre -emption and 27 battery backup units.
These improvements will line up the intersections with national standards Transportation Communication for Intelligent Transportation System (NTPIP), connecting them to the EDMOND TMC via optical fiber and the wireless network established in phase I. At the end, 85% of EDMOND traffic signals will meet modern standards, leaving only 15% of exploitation on exceeded technology.
The $ 12.57 million project, awarded to Traffic and Lighting System, LLC by Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), is funded with 80% (10.06 million dollars) from federal subsidies and 20% (2.51 million dollars) provided by the City of Edmond through its 2,2000 sales tax of 2,2000 fixed assets. With a 450 -day calendar, the project is supervised by Freeese and Nichols Engineering Firm, with daily inspections and a city representative guaranteeing the membership of plans.
“We recognize that certain roads and intersections must also be widened,” said Lawrence. “However, this allows the greatest traffic to circulate in a given area and is the best value for the taxpayer.”
Learn more about the ITS project to www.edmondok.gov/it.