SCATS Field Experience SCATS Field Experience at theat the

Gary Piotrowicz PE, PTOETRB January 11, 2004

SCATS BACKGROUNDSCATS BACKGROUND System has been in operation since System has been in operation since

1992.1992. Funds have come from earmarks, Funds have come from earmarks,

STP, NHS, CMAQ, Locals, and STP, NHS, CMAQ, Locals, and Private Companies.Private Companies.

Currently there are over 600 SCATS Currently there are over 600 SCATS signals. Over 650 by the end of signals. Over 650 by the end of 2004. 2004.

SCATSSCATS HARDWARE STRUCTURE HARDWARE STRUCTURE

ManagementManagementComputerComputer SCATSSCATS

ControllerController

AutoscopeAutoscope

RegionalRegionalComputerComputer

SELECTION OF SCATSSELECTION OF SCATS Wanted a system that was cutting edge Wanted a system that was cutting edge

with real-time signal plan generation.with real-time signal plan generation. In 1989 only 2 systems existed.In 1989 only 2 systems existed. SCATS fit better with the local SCATS fit better with the local

conditions:conditions: 8 Phase signals8 Phase signals Poor SpacingPoor Spacing Corridors/GridsCorridors/Grids

What to Look for in an What to Look for in an Adaptive Signal SystemAdaptive Signal System

Determine your own system Determine your own system needs/issues.needs/issues.

Find a system that meets these Find a system that meets these needs.needs.

Determine if the you have the Determine if the you have the resources and personnel to O & M resources and personnel to O & M the system.the system.

SCATS COSTSSCATS COSTS(Oakland County)(Oakland County)

CentralCentral SoftwareSoftware HardwareHardware ConsultantsConsultants

FieldField Per intersectionPer intersection

Operations and MaintenanceOperations and Maintenance field, software, personnelfield, software, personnel

BENEFITSBENEFITSAccident Severity AnalysisAccident Severity Analysis

Possibly Injured

IncapacitatingNon-Incapacitating

BEFORE AFTER

9% 4%

BENEFITSBENEFITSTravel Time ImprovementsTravel Time Improvements

(NB Orchard Lake Rd)(NB Orchard Lake Rd)

-20%-20% -32%-32% -7%-7%

AM PeakAM Peak Off-PeakOff-Peak PM PeakPM Peak

SUCCESS STORYSUCCESS STORY (I-75 Truck Roll-over in (I-75 Truck Roll-over in

Auburn Hills)Auburn Hills)

Freeway closed from 3pm to 9pm.Freeway closed from 3pm to 9pm. SCATS Response:SCATS Response:

Maintained peak cycle lengths until Maintained peak cycle lengths until after 9:30after 9:30

Handled unusual traffic patternsHandled unusual traffic patterns Done without operator interventionDone without operator intervention

SCATSSCATS EVENT MANAGER EVENT MANAGER

CHALLENGESCHALLENGES Keeping Qualified PersonnelKeeping Qualified Personnel

EngineersEngineers TechniciansTechnicians ElectriciansElectricians ConsultantsConsultants

Public UnderstandingPublic Understanding Changes in the OperationsChanges in the Operations Capacity IssuesCapacity Issues

LESSONS LEARNEDLESSONS LEARNED Do NOT over sell the benefits.Do NOT over sell the benefits. You can never have too much training You can never have too much training

and personnel.and personnel. Bring in an outside expert to audit the Bring in an outside expert to audit the

system.system. Implement a strong public relations effort.Implement a strong public relations effort. Get buy in from all levels of management.Get buy in from all levels of management.

LESSONS LEARNED, cont.LESSONS LEARNED, cont. Get buy in from electrical shop.Get buy in from electrical shop. Must have continuous and Must have continuous and

adequate revenue stream for O & Madequate revenue stream for O & M Get employees that will take Get employees that will take

ownership in the system.ownership in the system. Deploy at a pace within your Deploy at a pace within your

resources.resources.

QUESTIONS???QUESTIONS???

Gary Piotrowicz, PE, PTOE248 858-7250

gpiotrowicz@rcoc.org