Traffic Management Demystified

My Council Comments for this month is about LFUCG’s Traffic Management Center, located in the government’s Phoenix Building on Vine Street.  You can watch the full Council Comments here.

The Center has the responsibility for making sure the public has a safe, efficient journey around town.  To do its work, the Center’s array of monitors receive information feeds from 80 surveillance cameras at strategic locations as well as 400 traffic signals throughout the county.  The Center’s system is also connected to the state traffic system and 911 dispatch.

I spoke with Steve Cummins, the Traffic Signal Systems Manager, who provided fascinating information regarding the computer programming that establishes and maintains traffic signal timing and allows for real-time interventions in cases of traffic accidents and other unusual traffic occurrences.  He explained the many variables that must be taken into account for designing the traffic management system, including clearance times for crossing lanes at the most congested intersections, pedestrian use, and train schedules.  He also provided an update on the new Harrodsburg Road double cross-over diamond, which has significantly reduced congestion at New Circle Road.

Many thanks to the staff of the Traffic Management Center.  They do great work and I appreciate being able to share with you this month some of what they do it