The crucial role of traffic lights in keeping travel safe and smooth
Discussion with a mobility planning expert
A well-designed traffic signal system is essential to keeping our roads safe and fluid. Every element, from the location of the lights to their timing, must be meticulously planned to optimize the flow of vehicles and pedestrians. A poorly designed system can lead to traffic jams, accidents and delays, affecting not only mobility, but also the safety of road users. Marilyne Brosseau, Project Manager, Traffic Studies and Planning, introduces us to the main principles behind this important work.
Key Considerations and Challenges
As Marilyne explains, the Intervia team has the technical expertise and mastery of the various technological tools to improve or implement different intelligent transportation systems, more specifically, by offering traffic light optimization services.
“When designing traffic signal systems, we need to consider the complex interplay between visibility, mobility and safety for all modes of transportation. This includes pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and cars. By using data on traffic flows, driver behaviors, and travel patterns, engineers can design efficient traffic light systems that minimize wait times and maximize safety.”
Marilyne mentions as an example the design of the programming of temporary traffic lights at the intersection of Souligny and Honoré-Beaugrand avenues in the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough, as part of Intervia's mandate for the rehabilitation of the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel. When a detour route involving the intersection became necessary due to the closure of a nearby highway ramp, Intervia's traffic studies and planning team intervened in a context that involved not only several vehicular traffic lanes, but also a level crossing, the proximity of a railway and the presence of the express bike network.
“Traditionally, traffic light design has prioritized cars, but the trend is increasingly towards multimodal optimization. Programming can quickly become complex when it involves integrating several modes, such as public transport and cycling. This includes, for example, synchronised phases at 30 km/h or shorter cycle times to promote pedestrian movement, which should never be forgotten,” explains Marilyne.
The case of the development of new bike lanes and changes in the direction of traffic in the borough of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension
Among the projects on which Marilyne and her team had the opportunity to work, the one that best reflects the growing importance of multimodal optimization is related to the desire of the borough of Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension to improve its existing cycling facilities. To ensure the safety of all users, the planned developments included traffic light adjustments.
The reprogramming of traffic lights requires effective coordination so as not to impact traffic and ensure the safety of road users, while also maintaining the collaboration of all project stakeholders. Our traffic light expert also mentions that the more we try to optimize the system for all modes, the less efficient it is: “It's a question of finding the balance for each particular context, as in this mandate where the technical component included a great deal of human coordination and constructive diplomacy in order to satisfy both the new configurations requested by the borough and the requirements of the City of Montreal guides and standards.”
In conclusion, the big winner in traffic light planning must be, as much as possible, all the users who share the road network. As this discipline continues to evolve and the need for standardization remains, experts such as Marilyne and her team, are indispensable.