City of Austin

The City of Austin’s Transportation Department (ATD) recently began installing the newest feature of its Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) to help manage traffic flow on city streets. Dynamic Message Signs, similar to electronic message signs on major highways, will provide drivers with real-time information to help them choose the best route. Installation and testing of the signs will continue through the end of this year, and are anticipated to be operational by March 2012.

Last week, The City of Austin’s Transportation Department (ATD) began installing the newest feature of its Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) to help manage traffic flow on city streets. Dynamic Message Signs, similar to electronic message signs on major highways, will provide drivers with real-time information to help them choose the best route. Installation and testing of the signs will continue through the end of this year, and are anticipated to be operational by March 2012.
A total of 13 signs will be placed along major corridors and entrance points focused toward the downtown core of Austin (see attached map of locations). The travel information posted on dynamic message signs informs drivers who are already on the road of conditions ahead. When drivers choose routes with less congestion, traffic is better distributed among available routes.
City Council recently approved a five year contract for the implementation of an Advanced Traffic Management System which integrates state-of-the-art traffic technology to improve mobility and safety. The addition of these signs is one step in a systematic upgrade for the aging traffic management system.

Additional software and hardware upgrades and enhancements will be needed to create a fully functional intelligent transportation management system.

The system when fully operational will provide integrated monitoring and management via a central operating system that integrates numerous traffic control devices including real-time traffic data from cameras, speed and count sensors, Dynamic Message Signs, and emergency preemption devices. The system will ultimately help to maximize road network potential to achieve:
- Increased transportation system efficiency
- Enhanced mobility
- Improved safety
- Reduce fuel consumption and environmental costs
This project is funded through a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for $1 million.