Centralized Traffic Management System

Current Activity

March 13, 2018: The County Board is expected to approve an intergovernmental agreement to connect with Naperville’s system at its March 13 meeting.

March 6, 2018: The City of Naperville and DuPage County release a joint statement announcing the partnership between DuPage County and The City of Naperville to combine traffic signal systems, furthering the goal to allow real-time, system-wide remote programming and operation.

February 20, 2018: The City of Naperville City Council adopted a resolution approving the intergovernmental agreement between the City of Naperville and the County of DuPage for the central signal system expansion 1 and 2 installation and future maintenance responsibilities at various locations.

Consistent with the goals outlined in the Transportation Coordination Initiative to create an integrated network, this project will provide multiple direct connections between Naperville and County signal systems. The project will also modernize older signal equipment, provide enhanced traffic data collection, and allow operational improvements at these locations.

Background

The majority of the City's traffic signals were installed between 1980 and 2005. Naperville maintains 92 of 161 traffic signals located within the City's boundary with the remaining signals maintained by IDOT or DuPage County.

Prior to January 2016, the software running each of the City-maintained signals could only be remotely accessed using a dial-up phone connection within the City's Municipal Center. Although the system still performed essential tasks, it was becoming obsolete and could not accommodate newer functions allowed by the current generation of traffic signal management systems.

For years, the Citizen Survey results echoed previous results with a large percentage of residents concerned about traffic flow and congestion on area roadways. While the City has made numerous investments to increase roadway capacity wherever possible, further signal improvements are needed to maintain or improve current traffic levels of service, accommodate future growth in traffic volumes and increase public satisfaction.

In addition, DuPage County is leading a strategic framework for the development of Intelligent Transportation Systems in which traffic control and signal management systems were identified as priority projects for the area. The City of Naperville's modernization of its traffic signal system is consistent with this county-wide goal.

Project Timeline

Phase One - COMPLETE
During the first phase of the project, crews eliminated gaps in the traffic signal systems located along Washington Street by installing fiber optic cables to connect the three existing traffic signal systems that run along the entire length of Washington Street from Warrenville to Royce roads. As a result, City staff now receives automated notifications when traffic signals in this area malfunction, resulting in a quicker resolution to issues. A more consistent timing pattern for signals along this corridor is also in place. 

Phase Two - COMPLETE
In 2017, crews installed equipment at intersections along Washington Street as part of the second phase of the Centralized Traffic Management System (CTMS) installation. This equipment will allow traffic signals along this corridor to adjust in real-time based on immediate traffic demands. From the driver perspective, the new system may not seem significantly different. This is because the sequence of the traffic signal operation will be largely the same. The CTMS gives the City the flexibility to program green time allocations and cycle lengths depending upon traffic conditions. This feature will help maximize the efficiency of the system and minimize travel times. So, while you may not “see” anything different, the new system, over time, will make driving through busy areas of the City take less time, help motorists save more fuel by reducing idling and result in a better driving experience for all.

Phase Three 
Future plans include additional phases to integrate other existing signal system corridors and county systems into the network. To obtain this goal, the City has applied with DuPage County for federal funding. These future phases are yet to be determined, and it will likely be 10-15 years before everything is connected.