Bio
David has 18 years of experience as a traffic engineer specializing in traffic signal programming, corridor retiming, diversion route timing patterns, and traffic responsive signal systems. He has a passion for all things traffic signal timing related and loves to learn new tricks and strategies from different people and agencies around the country. He is currently serving as the past president of the Nebraska Section of ITE. David is a registered PE, PTOE, and IMSA Traffic Signal Senior Field Technician Level 3. He earned his BS and MS in Civil Engineering with an emphasis on Transportation Engineering from Iowa State University.
Abstract
The City of Lincoln launched their Green Light Lincoln program in 2016. The program includes equipment upgrades and standardization as well as signal timing improvements. In 2019, the City embarked on Phase 3 of the traffic signal system optimization program. This phase involved retiming the entire downtown grid network, extending from 9th Street to 17th Street and from South Street to Q Street, plus a few outliers. The project included 92 signals within a half mile by two-mile rectangle, 67 of which were within the true half mile by half mile grid. In addition to the tightly spaced signal network, a two-way cycle-track runs along a one-way street in the middle of the network. A major two-way street also traverses the downtown core, which is otherwise comprised of one-way streets.
The City of Omaha is in the process of modernizing over 1,000 traffic signals from 1970’s era legacy controllers to modern controllers, modern detection systems, and fiber optic communications. FHU has designed modifications to 146 intersections, including traffic signal and fiber optic upgrades, and implementation of Adaptive Signal Control Technology constructed along two congested corridors. Additionally, FHU has updated traffic signal timing at 66 intersections along West Center Road, including safety recommendations, public outreach materials and Omaha’s first twice-per-cycle left-turn phase.
Both agencies are considering leading pedestrian intervals for improved pedestrian service and are evaluating left-turn phasing by time of day to further improve operations. This presentation will provide an overview of each city’s signal upgrade program and focus in on specific projects with each agency to better illustrate the process and results.