Signal Coordination and Timing Study

Making Roads SMARTER Reduces Delay and Improves Traffic Flow

Over the past several years, the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) has conducted Signal Coordination and Timing Studies on several travel corridors. The corridors were studied during weekday peak travel times in the morning, midday, and evening. Throughout the study, adjustments and enhancements were made to the signals in each corridor. Based on travel times, stops, and the average speed, we were able to calculate improvements in delays, fuel consumption, and CO2 emissions.

The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) conducted a Signal Coordination and Timing Study on Lewis Ave. from Sunset Ave. to IL 173. By adjusting signal timing, enhancing technology, and coordinating signals through Lake County PASSAGE, we were able to reduce delays, reduce CO2 emissions, and help motorists save money on fuel.

During the study, traffic was reviewed during weekday peak travel times in the morning, mid-day, and evening with attention on travel time, stops, and average speed. The study consultant worked with LCDOT staff to adjust timing and improve coordination of the 11 traffic signals in the study area.

The final results of the study show that the coordination and adjustment of the signals through the Lake County PASSAGE system decreased idling time and improved traffic flow; which caused a decrease in vehicle delay time (403 hours per day), a decrease in fuel consumption (4380 gallons per year), and a decrease in CO2 emissions (25.2 metric tons per year). A collective cost savings was also calculated, an estimated $2.5 million a year.

The overall results of the study show that technology enhancements, adjusting the signal timings, and coordinating the signals through the Lake County PASSAGE system, led to a reduction in vehicle delays (477.8 hours) and a reduction in fuel consumption (318.2 gallons) per day. Not only does this save money, approximately $3.1 million a year, but this also means less time stuck in the car and more time doing the things you want to do. An added benefit of the study was a reduction in CO2 emissions by 566 metric tons per year. The image above left illustrates the total overall result, but here is a breakdown of the individual results from each corridor:

St. Mary’s Road from Old Rockland Road to Atkinson Road
Reduced delay by 91.5 hours and saved 63.4 gallons of fuel per day
$603,275 annual benefit

Butterfield Road from Allanson Road to IL 137
Reduced delay by 265.9 hours and saved 115 gallons of fuel per day
$1,676,607 annual benefit

Deerfield Parkway from Buffalo Grove Road to Busch Parkway (image above, right)
Reduced delay by 113.1 hours and saved 85.8 gallons of fuel per day
$813,522 annual benefit

Fairfield Road from Bonner Road to Gossell Road
Reduced delay by 7.3 hours and saved 14 gallons of fuel per day
$48,010 annual benefit

The overall results of the study show that technology enhancements, adjusting the signal timings, and coordinating the signals through the Lake County PASSAGE system, led to a reduction in vehicle delays (694 hours) and a reduction in fuel consumption (91 gallons) per day. Not only does this save money, approximately $4.3 million a year, but this also means less time stuck in the car and more time doing the things you want to do. An added benefit of the study was a reduction in CO2 emissions by 276 metric tons per year. The image at right illustrates the total overall result, but here is a breakdown of the individual results from each corridor:

Washington Street from Almond Road to IL 131
Reduced delay by 388 hours,and saved 1.6 gallons of fuel per day, $2,348,423 annual benefit

Hunt Club Road from IL 120 to Stearns School Rd
Reduced delay by 159 hours, and saved 61.3 gallons of fuel per day, $1,021,187 annual benefit

Stearns School Road from Hunt Club Rd to US 41; US 41 from Stearns School Rd to IL 21
Reduced delay by 147 hours, and saved 27.9 gallons of fuel per day, $1,013,019 annual benefit

The image at right illustrates the total overall results, but here is a breakdown of the individual results from each corridor:

Washington Street - IL Rte. 83 to US Rte. 45
Reduced delay by 130.5 hours and saved 2.7 gallons of fuel per day: $785,947 annual benefit

Old McHenry - Fairfield Road to Quentin Road
Reduced delay by 153.1 hours and saved 112 gallons of fuel per day: $1,059,900 annual benefit

Deerfield Road - Portwine Road to Wilmot Road AND Saunders Road - Deerfield Road to Discover
Reduced delay by 364.7 hours and saved 50.4 gallons of fuel per day: $2,246,578 annual benefit

Aptakisic Road - Brandywyn Lane to Parkway Drive
Reduced delay by 233.5 hours and saved 60.9 gallons of fuel per day: $1,401,550 annual benefit

Rollins Road - Grand Avenue to Hook Drive
Reduced delay by 457.7 hours and saved 191.9 gallons of fuel per day: $3,019,014 annual benefit

Delany Road - US Rte. 41 to Wadsworth Road
Reduced delay by 285.5 hours and saved 126.9 gallons of fuel per day: $1,281,326 annual benefit

Signal Coordination and Timing Study

Making Roads SMARTER Reduces Delay and Improves Traffic Flow

2018: Lewis Avenue Signal Coordination and Timing Study

2016: Multiple Signal Coordination and Timing Studies

2015: Multiple Signal Coordination and Timing Studies

2013: Multiple Signal Coordination and Timing Studies

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