Commander's Action Line: Signal Lights on Sweeney Blvd between Holly and Elm Streets

Question:  “Would it be possible to have the agency responsible for Langley AFB's Road Traffic Management look into a way to relieve the traffic backups created by the Signal Lights on Sweeney Blvd between Holly and Elm Streets? Over the past few months I have noticed traffic backs up consistently during the workforce morning ingress and afternoon egress along Sweeney Blvd. One suggestion would be to look at the signal duration timing and trip control timing at on the signal light at Sweeney and Holly. Traffic on Holly crossing Sweeney appears to be provided the same priority timing as the Sweeney flow. This timing does not equate to the traffic volume trying to proceed through the intersection. [Holly traffic is usually 1-2 cars and once they clear the intersection the signal is holding the Sweeny flow much longer than needed. Once the Sweeny flow (20-30 cars) proceeds the light can be tripped by Holly traffic, this limits Sweeny traffic to about only ~10 cars proceeding.]"

Answer:  "The traffic lights are currently set to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) standard based on the number of lanes and turning lanes. 633 CES has the capability to change the timing through an existing traffic light service contract, but incurs a cost each time of ~$1K. The lights do not have the capability to run multiple timing programs based on the day or time of day. Whatever is programmed is what will run 24/7. 633 CES was able to award a project in the last month of FY16 to install a new system which will interconnect all lights on Sweeney and also interconnect the lights on Neely. This new system will essentially be a "smart software program" that utilizes traffic cams, wire loops in the ground and the information from a traffic study that will be conducted. The program compiles all the information gathered and synchronizes all the lights for the smoothest flow of traffic possible along each of the routes. It operates in real time based on live traffic conditions along with the traffic study analysis information.