City Votes to Extend Traffic Cameras
Posted/updated on: January 13, 2011 at 1:49 pm
TYLER — The Tyler City Council took a decisive step forward in their effort to improve traffic flow Wednesday when they voted unanimously to expand the City’s adaptive control system (ACS). The ACS system uses cameras to detect traffic volumes and makes signal timing adjustments in real time. “The ACS system is like having a traffic engineer at every intersection making constant adjustments,” explained Associate Traffic Engineer Justin Smith. “Using this system on the Broadway corridor helped us dramatically improve traffic progression. We anticipate a similar impact with this expansion on Loop 323.”
The ACS expansion will integrate 21 additional intersections into the system. These signals are along Loop 323 from Shaw Street, South and East along Loop 323 to Old Bullard Road and from Commerce Street, South and West to Copeland Road. Utilization of the ACS technology was a recommendation from the Tyler 21 plan to help ease traffic congestion. The City launched its first segment in 2007 and has added to the system in the last three years.
“Addressing traffic congestion was the number one concern identified in the Tyler 21 comprehensive plan,” shared Mayor Barbara Bass. “The City has taken many steps to improve traffic flow in the last three years and has made a lot of headway. I think this enhancement will keep us moving in the right direction.” Once the construction of Loop 323 West is complete, the City also plans to extend the system from SH31 north to US 69.
