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 conversation with Mr. Jerry Luor, PE, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), is presented below; links to cost summaries from the other five studies as well as the synthesized costs summary are also provided.

The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for transportation planning in the region. The DRCOG works with the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Regional Transportation District and others to prepare transportation plans and programs. In 1989, the DRCOG began the Traffic Operations Program to work with the Colorado Department of Transportation and local governments to coordinate traffic signals on major roads in the region. The Traffic Operations Program efforts are governed by the Traffic Signal System Improvement Program (TSSIP) The TSSIP has two major components: a capital improvement program (which provides equipment and installs communications links), and a traffic signal timing improvement program (which provides new traffic signal timing and coordination plans). The DRCOG traffic signals website can be accessed at http://www.drcog.org/index.cfm?page=TrafficSignalProgram.

Mr. Jerry Luor, PE, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) indicates the cost to time signals ranges from $1,800 to $2,000 per intersection which includes consultant time and DRCOG staff review time. The cost is about $1,400 to $1,500 per intersection if in-house (DRCOG traffic engineers) conduct the timing study.

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.

Benefits of Retiming Traffic Signals: A Reference for Practitioners and Decision Makers About the Benefits of Traffic Signal Retiming
Cost range for signal retiming: $2,000 - $2,500 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.