Traffic Signal Timing Study

Описание: Crews have begun installing temporary traffic counting devices at intersections in the City of Melbourne. These devices will be used to count and analyze traffic for the City's biennial traffic signal timing study.

The study is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to monitor and improve traffic flow throughout Melbourne by optimizing traffic signal timing. The intent is to shorten delays by reducing the number of stops at red lights, improve overall safety by reducing accidents, provide greater consistency in travel planning for commuters and business commerce, and reduce driving frustration.

Each traffic counting device is equipped with a wide fisheye lens camera connected to a computer that counts the number of cars and large trucks and the direction each vehicle takes as it moves through the intersection. Data will be continuously collected for approximately five to seven days to get a full picture of traffic patterns during the morning and evening rush hours, as well as during off-peak travel times and weekends.

This information will then be analyzed to determine how long each green signal phase should remain on and how often they should change. Optimizing the green signal length will in turn help traffic move through each intersection as efficiently as possible.

The City of Melbourne performs this study every one to two years because traffic patterns and volumes continuously shift as new housing and commercial developments are completed and residents’ driving habits change.

The current study is beginning with U.S. 1 traffic corridor because it is the most heavily used roadway in our community. Fifty-six intersections with traffic signals in the City of Melbourne will be analyzed to make sure that the entire network runs efficiently. The data collection portion of the study is expected to last until mid-February 2026, and the full analysis, implementation and field review of the new signal timing optimization will be completed by June 2026.