COMPUTERIZED TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM STUDY FOR THE CITY OF MISSISSAUGA

The traffic signal sequencing through the green-amber-red cycle is very simple in its basic form. However, the rapid advances in technology in the traffic signal field over the last 20 years has given the traffic engineer the opportunity to improve the operational characteristics of the road network. Looking to the future, the city of Mississauga, in conjunction with the region of Peel, and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, decided in April 1981, to initiate a study to determine which computerized traffic control system best suits the needs of the area and how the installation of this system can best be implemented. Our analysis of the anticipated 1986 traffic signal system indicates that all of the signals in Mississauga would benefit from interconnection. A computerized traffic control system for these signals would provide the following benefits: reduced accidents, reduced congestion and delay, fewer stops, reduced fuel consumption, higher travel speeds, accurate data on traffic volumes, more responsive and better organized treatment of traffic problems, 24 hour recording of equipment operation including failure analysis. For the covering abstract of the conference see TRIS 378581. (TRRL)