Signal Synchronization

The Renewed Measure M Plan – continuation of Orange County’s half-cent transportation sales tax – includes approximately $450 million to develop a Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization program. The goal of the program is to improve the flow of traffic by developing and implementing regional signal coordination across jurisdictional boundaries. When implemented, drivers in a synchronized signal corridor can often pass through a series of green lights before stopping.

OCTA, which administers the Measure M program, is currently conducting two signal synchronization demonstration projects in preparation for the countywide program, which targets more than 2,000 signalized intersections across the county. The project in north Orange County spans six cities along Euclid Street. The project in south county runs along the entire length of Oso Parkway/Pacific Park Drive through five cities and an unincorporated area of the county of Orange.

The 15-mile Euclid Street project includes more than 60 traffic signals, and daily traffic can reach more than 50,000 vehicles per day. Drivers will start noticing signal changes in June 2007, and the system is expected to be fully adjusted and synchronized in fall 2007.

The eight-mile Oso Parkway/Pacific Park Drive corridor includes 34 traffic signals, and daily traffic can reach more than 58,000 vehicles per day. Drivers will start noticing signal changes in fall 2007, and refinements are expected to be completed in summer 2008.

During the demonstration period, the systems will be fine-tuned to optimize the synchronization. When the demonstration projects are complete, the cities will be responsible for maintaining the system and making any adjustments that may be needed over time. OCTA will take demonstration findings and use them to refine future projects and develop the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program, which will begin once Renewed Measure M funding becomes available in 2011.

Expanding signal synchronization is a cost-effective way to increase roadway capacity without major new construction. These systems are usually applied during peak morning and evening hours. Synchronized traffic signals will reduce overall stops and travel delays, allow for large groups of vehicles to efficiently flow through many signals and reduce vehicle emissions and air pollution. OCTA’s planned countywide network of more than 2,000 coordinated signals will save millions of travel hours annually.

For more information, contact Laura Teel at (714) 560-5697 or Lteel@octa.net.

Euclid Street project details:
Extends through La Habra, Fullerton, Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Fountain Valley. Also crosses the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5), the San Diego Freeway (I-405), the Garden Grove Freeway (SR-22), and the Riverside Freeway (SR-91).

• Length: 15 miles
• Number of traffic signals: 62
• Daily traffic: 50,000 vehicles per day
• Cost: $450,000

Click here for the Euclid Street Fact Sheet

Oso Parkway/Pacific Park Drive project details:
Extends through Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, the county of Orange, and Rancho Santa Margarita. Also crosses the San Diego Freeway (I-5), the San Joaquin Hills Toll Road (SR-73) and the Foothill Toll Road (SR-241).

• Length: 8 miles
• Number of traffic signals: 34
• Daily traffic: 58,000 vehicles per day
• Cost: $250,000