A Guide to Traffic Management Solutions

Difference Between Traffic Management and Traffic Control

Traffic management and traffic control are two distinct concepts within transportation and urban planning.

Traffic management involves planning and implementing strategies to optimize traffic flow, minimize congestion, and improve overall transportation efficiency. It may include technology, infrastructure improvements, urban planning, and public transportation options. On the other hand, traffic control involves regulating and manipulating traffic flow through signage, signals, and law enforcement to ensure road safety and order.

While traffic management focuses on long-term solutions and systemic improvements, traffic control is more concerned with immediate and tactical interventions to address specific traffic situations. Both are essential components of a comprehensive transportation strategy.

5 Pillars of Traffic Management Systems

The five traffic management pillars will give you a solid base to create your desired smooth urban operation. These are the following:

• Traffic Engineering – This involves improving traffic flow by designing and implementing physical infrastructure such as roads, highways, intersections, and pedestrian facilities. This pillar encompasses traffic signal design, road signs, center islands, and markings.
• Traffic Education – It aims to educate the general public on traffic rules and regulations, safe driving practices, and alternative modes of transportation. This pillar includes driver education programs, public awareness campaigns, and school safety programs.
• Traffic Enforcement – Involving enforcing laws and regulations related to traffic control and safety, this can cover monitoring speed limits, issuing citations for traffic violations, and conducting sobriety checkpoints.
• Traffic Ecology – This pillar focuses on understanding the environmental impact of transportation systems and implementing sustainable solutions to minimize negative effects. It also includes initiatives such as promoting alternative modes of transportation, reducing vehicle emissions, and preserving green spaces.
• Traffic Economics – This focuses on how a traffic system impacts an area’s economic prosperity and product pricing and supply. Heavy traffic congestion can significantly affect productivity and businesses’ ability to receive essential supplies. An uncongested traffic system boosts economic value by ensuring smooth access for workers and supplies.

Strategies

Traffic management strategies vary depending on the location, traffic volume, and types of transportation systems. Some common methods include the following:

Adaptive Ramp Metering (ARM)

ARM uses traffic signals on-ramps to control the number of vehicles entering the freeway. It adjusts based on real-time and expected traffic volumes. Unlike pre-set timing, ARM uses adaptive algorithms to respond to traffic conditions, identify bottlenecks, and detect incidents automatically.

Adaptive Traffic Signal Control (ATSC)

ATSC monitors arterial traffic conditions and queuing at intersections, dynamically adjusting signal timing to smooth traffic flow. It tracks traffic flows upstream of signal locations, anticipating volume and flow. Timing parameters are continually adjusted to optimize objectives, such as reducing stops. ATSC can decrease travel time and delay, increase speed, and shorten queue lengths.

Dynamic Junction Control (DJC)

DJC dynamically allocates lane access on mainline and ramp lanes at busy interchanges where traffic volumes vary throughout the day. The system can close or change mainline lanes, open shoulders, and manage traffic flow using dynamic signs, reducing travel time, fewer delays, and increasing travel speeds.

Dynamic Lane Reversal (DLR)

DLR changes road capacity by reversing one or more lanes, allowing lanes to adapt to traffic demands throughout the day. This can be done by removing barriers, changing signage, or both. The main challenge with DLR is ensuring clear signage for drivers and proper timing to avoid head-on collisions. DLR can help increase throughput and reduce travel times.

Dynamic Lane Use Control (DLUC)

DLUC involves opening and closing individual lanes as needed, with a warning to drivers using dynamic lane control signs. This approach helps merge traffic safely into adjacent lanes and often works with dynamic shoulder lanes to boost capacity. It can reduce secondary accidents, improve responder safety, and increase lane-level traffic flow.

Dynamic Shoulder Lane (DShL)

DShL, often used with DLUC, is the dynamic use of the shoulder as a travel lane, activated in response to peak traffic times or incidents during off-peak periods. Unlike static, pre-timed methods, DShL adapts to real-time conditions. The shoulder lane can be restricted to certain vehicles or occupancy levels, such as during traffic incidents or for High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. Roads need to be built to handle increased regular traffic. DShL can help reduce travel time, crash rates, and crash severity.

Queue Warning (QW)

QW displays real-time roadway warnings to alert drivers of upcoming queues or slowdowns. These warnings appear on dynamic message boards, often with warning lights, and aim to reduce rear-end collisions. QW signs should be placed to give drivers enough notice, and in areas with rapidly changing queues, automated real-time adjustments are best.

Dynamic Speed Limit (DSpL)

DSpL adjusts speed limit displays based on real-time traffic, road, and weather conditions. These displays can show regulatory speed limits or suggested speed advisories and can be applied to entire roadway segments or individual lanes. DSpL helps smooth traffic and reduce speed variability and can work alongside queue warning systems.

Dynamic Merge Control (DMC)

DMC dynamically manages vehicle entry into merge areas. Advisory messages prepare drivers for merging, sometimes directing behavior with instructions like ‘take turns.’ These messages are helpful in congested areas, such as work zones. DMC helps create safe merging gaps, reduces rear-end collisions, and increases travel speeds. This system is often used in work zones and can work alongside ARM, DLUC, and QW.