Optimizing signal timing is considered a low-cost approach to reducing congestion. Based on data from six separate studies, the costs range from $2,500 to $3,100 per signal per update. While this range is reasonable, costs could be slightly more or less. A cost summary based on a presentation given at the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) 2005 Annual Meeting is presented below; links to cost summaries from the other five studies as well as the synthesized costs summary are also provided.

The presentation, "Benefits of Retiming Traffic Signals: A Reference for Practitioners and Decision Makers About the Benefits of Traffic Signal Retiming," is based on an ITE report and brochure of the same title – products of the ITE Traffic Engineering Council’s project TENC-101-02. These documents describe the who, what, when, why, and how of traffic signal retiming.

Examples of successful retiming projects are also identified. Benefit cost ratios as high as 40 to 1 can be realized after traffic signal retiming is performed. Many factors such as skill level and expertise of professionals conducting the retiming study and equipment involved go into the costs of a retiming project. A rough estimate for four retiming plans (AM, noon, PM, and off peak periods) ranges from $2,000 to $2,500 per intersection.

Related links:

Synthesized Costs of Traffic Signal Retiming
Cost range for retiming traffic signals: $2,500 to $3,100 per signal per update.

National Traffic Signal Report Card
Costs to update signal timing: $3,000 or less per intersection.

Millenia Mall Signal Retiming Project
Cost of retiming signals: $3,100 per intersection.

Regional Signal Timing Program - 2005 Cycle Program Performance
Average cost to retime signals under the MTC program: $2,400 per intersection.

The Benefits of Retiming Traffic Signals
Costs of retiming traffic signals is roughly $2,500 per intersection.
Costs of retiming traffic signals in the Washington, DC area is about $3,500 per intersection.

Denver Regional Council of Governments Costs of Retiming Traffic Signals
Cost to retime each signal ranges from $1,800 to $2,000 which includes consultant time and DRCOG staff review time.