CARY ’S INVESTMENT IN SIGNAL SYSTEM IS PAYING OFF

Preliminary Study Shows Synchronized System Significantly Reducing Travel Time on Two Major Cary Roads

CARY, NC – Motorists in Cary now have the green light to reach their destinations faster, thanks to a new coordinated traffic signal system that has already shaved minutes off travel times on two major Cary roads – Harrison Avenue and Kildaire Farm Road.  Preliminary results of a Town study show that since the Town completed connecting nearly 120 traffic signals to a new coordinated system, motorists have seen the following improvements in travel time:  

• On southbound Kildaire Farm Road from Maynard Road to Cary Parkway , travel time has decreased from 6 minutes, 53 seconds to 3 minutes, 39 seconds during peak evening travel;

• On southbound Kildaire Farm Road from Maynard Road to Lochmere Drive , travel time has decreased from 11 minutes, 9 seconds to 7 minutes, 5 seconds during peak evening travel;

• On northbound Harrison Avenue from Chapel Hill Road to I-40 West, travel time has decreased from 7 minutes, 3 seconds to 4 minutes, 30 seconds during peak morning travel;

• On southbound Harrison Avenue from I-40 West to Chapel Hill Road , travel time has decreased from 7 minutes, 3 seconds to 5 minutes, 2 seconds during peak morning travel.       

The traffic signal timing changes are the result of a study in which Town engineers drove along key roads with a stopwatch and timed how long it took to travel from one point to the next with the normal traffic flow during a specified time of day.  The data was then used to establish a matrix designed to automatically move the greatest number of cars during peak travel times.

“We recognize that every minute counts on our roads and impacts the Town’s overall quality of life,” said Dick Moore, Cary Traffic Systems Manager.  “By keeping traffic flowing, the signals should help lower emission levels and increase the efficiency of gas mileage as fewer cars will be stalled at traffic signals.”

Moore added that the decreased travel time is even more remarkable because of an increase in traffic on the two roads.  Traffic volumes on Harrison Avenue and Kildaire Farm Road have increased by 30 percent and 14 percent, respectively, during the past year.  The increases have occurred in part because of drivers who detour the construction area near U.S. 1/64.

The Town began transitioning to its coordinated system in April 2005 after taking over the operation and maintenance of nearly 120 traffic signals in and around Cary from the N.C. Department of Transportation.  Cary’s new adaptive signal system helps decrease travel time by turning the traffic signal green for the heaviest flow of traffic in the heaviest direction. 

“We’re really just seeing the tip of the iceberg right now,” said Moore .  “Given that the system isn’t even fully operational yet, we believe citizens have a lot more good news to look forward to in the coming months.”

When complete this summer, Cary ’s $11.5 million state-of-the-art traffic management system will be the most advanced in North Carolina , enabling Town staff to continually monitor traffic at key intersections and change signals to improve flow.  The project includes 80 miles of new fiber optic cable (integrated with existing signal software), 23 closed circuit TV cameras at key intersections, 12 dynamic message signs, and traffic information integration with the Town’s Web site and cable access channel, Cary TV 11.

For more, see Computerized Traffic Signal System at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 462-3937.

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