We are proud to share that the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) has awarded Mead & Hunt and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) a 2023 Transportation Achievement Award in the Traffic Engineering category for our Washington, DC Signal Timing Optimization project! This award recognizes excellence in the advancement of transportation to meet the needs of cities and their communities.
This project’s main goal was to optimize all 1,600+ traffic signals in Washington, DC to improve safety, sustainability, reliability, and mobility for multimodal users. The project spanned multiple years and included two phases.
Phase 1 focused on the rehabilitation of DDOT’s signal system to reduce roadway congestion. New controller software was deployed, clearance intervals were updated across the system, and signals were retimed to account for the changing demand patterns.
Following the adoption of Vision Zero in DC, Phase 2 evolved to focus on the deployment of interventions that would create a safer system for all road users. This resulted in the implementation of:
- 960+ Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs)
- 150+ automatic Walk signals
- 190+ Age-Friendly-designated extended crossing times
- Upgraded two-staged crossings to single-stage crossings
- Updated vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle clearances
- Coordinated signal timings for enhanced bicycle progression
Both phases are helping DC reach its sustainability and safety goals. The optimization program has made DC traffic signals safer and friendlier for pedestrians and bicyclists in addition to improving bus running times and overall traffic flow. Congratulations to all involved!