Deploying an advanced signal control system for 110 blocks in Midtown Manhattan cost $1.6 million.

Experience of NYC DOT's Midtown in Motion test bed.

Made Public Date
12/11/2012
Identifier
2012-SC00274
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Summary Information

After congestion pricing in Midtown Manhattan was vetoed by the New York State Legislature, New York City's Department of Transportation NYC DOT turned to advanced traffic signal systems and adaptive decision support systems to better identify and alleviate points of congestion within the test bed in real-time. Phase 1 of the Midtown in Motion test bed stretched from 2nd to 6th Avenues and 42nd to 57th Streets in Manhattan, encompassing 110 blocks and was implemented beginning in July 2011. Phase 2 expands the east-west boundaries to 1st and 9th Avenues, bringing the total number of blocks in the test bed to 270.

Before the implementation of Phase 1, nearly half of the city's 12,500 signalized intersections had received upgrades from electromechanical controllers to networked Advanced Solid State Traffic Controllers (ASTCs). The remaining signals will be upgraded by the end of 2013. The ASTCs work over a wireless network. These costs are not included in the Phase 1 cost. NYC DOT estimates that they will invest an additional $2 million for 200 additional ASTCs for Phase 2.

Costs
Phase 1 Deployment included:

  • Hardware including 100 microwave sensors
  • 32 video cameras
  • E-ZPass readers at 23 intersections
  • Signals have a fixed pedestrian crossing time that does not require actuation to ensure that the primary travel mode (pedestrian) in NYC is given priority for safe crossings.
  • Turn lanes were added to 53 intersections
  • Turn signals were installed at 23 intersections.
  • Project costs for Phase 1 totalled approximately $1.6 million.

Phase 2 is expected to include:

  • 110 microwave sensors
  • 24 traffic cameras
  • 36 E-ZPass readers
  • Estimated costs for Phase 2 total $2.9 million dollars.
  • Additional 200 ASTCs will cost another $2 million on top of Phase 2 costs.
System Cost

Phase 1: $1.6 million Phase 2: $2.9 million (estimated)