US MDOT to deploy smart traffic signals on 14 corridors in Maryland

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) in the US is set to invest $50.3m to deploy Smart Traffic Signals on 14 major corridors across the state.

The signals, which use real-time traffic conditions and computer software, will improve traffic operation and ease congestion for around 700,000 drivers a day.

Adjusting the timing of traffic signals, the software synchronises the entire corridor and deploys artificial intelligence to keep traffic moving.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said: “Last month, our administration introduced a bold Traffic Relief Plan beginning with three massive, unprecedented projects to widen the Capital Beltway, I-270, and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.

“By replacing 20-year-old existing controls with Smart Traffic Signals, we will have the ability to respond to changes in traffic flow, as well as traffic conditions immediately; benefitting nearly 700,000 Maryland citizens across the state.”

"Last month, our administration introduced a bold Traffic Relief Plan beginning with three massive, unprecedented projects to widen the Capital Beltway, I-270, and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway."

An adaptive signal control system integrated with Smart Signals uses improved detection to monitor traffic conditions and alter the timing of traffic signals.

Set to replace existing controls that are more than 20 years old, the smart signals are unresponsive to the constant changes in traffic flow.

With the new technology in place, factors such as crashes, construction, and special events that contribute to congestion are quickly considered, and the software adjusts the timing to the signals accordingly.

Traffic engineers will select intersections to upgrade to Smart Signals based on factors such as traffic volume, intersection capacity, and traffic patterns.

The Smart Signal Network is the second phase of Hogan’s Traffic Relief Plan.

Hogan announced the first phase to invest $9bn last month to add four new lanes to I-270, the Capital Beltway (I-495), and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD 295).