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The Benefits of Co-Ordinating Traffic Signals in Melbourne
Technical Paper
852209
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
The Road Traffic Authority is presently implementing a system
for co-ordinating traffic signals throughout the Melbourne
Metropolitan Area in Victoria. The system is known as SCRAM (Signal
Co-ordination of Regional Areas in Melbourne). The aim of the
Program is to provide traffic signal co-ordination for all primary
and secondary arterial routes within Melbourne and to achieve
improved operation and safety for all vehicles, public transport
and pedestrians.
SCRAM is based on the SCAT (Sydney Co-ordinated Adaptive
Traffic) System which was initially produced in New South Wales.
SCATS is now used in most Australian States and also in New
Zealand. A total of 2300 traffic signals are presently operated by
SCAT Systems.
A survey to compare vehicle and travel characteristics under
Isolated and Dynamic Signal Linking modes was conducted on a 13.5
km section of the Maroondah Highway in Melbourne during 1982. The
survey used instrumented vehicles to ascertain route operational
comparisons together with an intersection delay survey to ascertain
effects on side-road traffic. The results of the survey were
analysed during 1982/83 and they indicated that the Dynamic Linking
mode of operation provided significant benefits for journey time,
stops, delay and fuel consumption.
The results of the field surveys were used to undertake an
economic analysis of the SCRAM Program over a 10 year period. The
co- ordination of the 1800 traffic signal sites in Metropolitan
Melbourne is expected to achieve a net benefit cost ratio of
25.