Intelligent Transportation System

Intelligent Transportation Systems, or ITS, is the use of technology to improve traffic flow. By using high-tech traffic communications (e.g., signal controllers and traffic cameras), traffic engineers can monitor real-time conditions, make modifications to signal operations and be alerted to problems with the traffic signal system.

When heavy conditions occur, ITS can be used to modify the operation of a traffic signal and then alert motorists of potential problems via Changeable Message Signs and internet-based information tools.

Thanks to ITS, traffic engineers can respond more quickly to safety issues or problems with traffic signals by instantly viewing a camera closest to the intersection.

ITS and coordinating corridors reduces travel time, helps reduce vehicle emissions, and improves air quality. View the travel time and emissions saved.

What is Traffic Signal Coordination?

Traffic signal coordination is a method of timing groups of traffic signals along a major roadway to provide for a smooth flow of traffic with minimal stops. The goal of coordination is to get the greatest number of vehicles through a system— a group of coordinated traffic signals —with the fewest number of stops.

While it would be ideal if every vehicle entering the system could proceed through without stopping, this is not possible even in a well-spaced, well-designed system.

Are all Roseville streets coordinated?

Not all streets warrant traffic signal coordination. Typically, a street is selected for coordination if it carries a certain amount of traffic during peak hours. In most cases, coordination is active from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. during weekdays. Outside of these hours, individual signals operate on a “first-come-first-served,” or traffic activated, basis.

View a map of coordinated corridors.

How are traffic signals timed?

Coordination along a roadway corridor takes into account the spacing of signals, the prevailing speed and traffic volume on the corridor, the amount of traffic coming in and out of driveways between traffic signals, the uniformity of intersection sizes, and the traffic signal cycle length.

Do certain streets receive priority over others?

Generally speaking, “majority rules” in traffic coordination, and the busiest traffic movements are given priority.

Depending on the route, the length of a traffic signal cycle (think “green-yellow-red”) on a major roadway could vary from 60 to 120 seconds. This means that if you were exiting a side street, and you just missed the light, it is possible to wait between 60 and 120 seconds before receiving another green light. For the most part, the and bigger the intersection the longer the required cycle length.

What is the Intelligent Transportation System?

Intelligent Transportation Systems, or ITS, is the use of technology to improve traffic flow. By using high-tech traffic communications (e.g., signal controllers and traffic cameras), traffic engineers can monitor real-time conditions, make modifications to signal operations and be alerted to problems with the traffic signal system. When heavy conditions occur, ITS can be used to modify the operation of a traffic signal and then alert motorists of potential problems via Changeable Message Signs and internet-based information tools. Thanks to ITS, traffic engineers can now respond more quickly to safety issues or problems with traffic signals by instantly viewing a camera closest to the intersection.

Roseville's ITS has five main components:

- 60 miles of fiber optic and 27 miles of high-speed copper communications
- 171 intelligent traffic signals
- 175 traffic monitoring cameras
- 9 electronic message boards
- Traffic Operations Center where all components are managed

Roseville ranked in National Traffic Signal Report Card
In June 2012, the National Transportation Operations Coalition (NTOC) released the results of the 2012 National Traffic Signal Report Card. The results contained in the 2012 National Report Card were based on responses to the Traffic Signal Operation Self Assessment. More than 241 state and local governments completed the self assessment and returned the results for compilation into the 2012 National Traffic Signal Report Card. The nation, as an average, received a 'D+' grade, while the City of Roseville received a 'B'. For more information regarding the NTOC, the 2012 Report Card results, the report card assessment process, audit guidelines, and previous Report Card results, visit www.ite.org/reportcard.

ITS Master Plan

The Roseville ITS Master Plan Project was the first step in establishing a fully deployed multi-modal ITS program.

Previous project reports defined Roseville’s ITS Concept of Operations which presents strategies for achieving the City's ITS vision, goals, and objectives. This final report built on the ITS Concept of Operations by presenting a detailed deployment plan for implementing the City's ITS strategies.

Descriptions of each of the recommended projects along with a preliminary implementation timeline and cost estimate can be found in the ITS Master Plan.

In addition, matrices are presented which map each project to specific ITS strategies and geographic corridors.

• ITS Master Plan 2020
• ITS Master Plan 2012
• ITS Master Plan 2005
• ITS Master Plan - Background Documentation

How ITS Helps You

> Reduces corridor congestion by rapidly detecting and responding to traffic incidents.
> Reduces travel times, stops and delays by dynamically adjusting traffic signals in response to changing traffic conditions.
> Alerts motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, commercial vehicles, and transit operators of congestion by collecting, processing and disseminating real-time information.
> Provides real-time transit arrival and departure information to passengers allowing them to time their departure from work or home to the transit stop.

The demand for mobility is often met by building more highways and bridges and adding more lanes to roads and streets in our cities. Although road widening can be very effective in in reducing traffic congestion, additional ways of managing traffic need to be considered to further enhance the efficiency of the roadway network.

ITS provides new tools to augment traditional transportation improvements. Use of ITS tools and strategies, the next major evolutionary stage of surface transportation, is expected to be the focus of major metropolitan area implementation efforts over the next several years, much like the highway system program was the focus of the last 60 years. Implementing ITS is one of the most cost effective ways to augment a roadway Capital Improvement Program and obtain a more efficient transportation system.

ITS applications represent a significant opportunity to improve the efficiency and safety of the surface transportation system in Roseville. These applications primarily improve the operation of a transportation system by either performing a function faster or more reliably, or by providing a service that was not previously available. In so doing, ITS provides for improved mobility of people and goods on the roadway network.

View the intersection level of service map.

Roseville's goal is to have at least 70% of intersections at level C or better.

View a map of coordinated corridors.

Using ITS to successfully manage traffic incidents

Approximately 10,000 vehicles per weekday use the Harry Crabb Tunnel to access eastbound I-80 from Sunrise Ave. Occasionally Caltrans closes this tunnel to perform maintenance, which means vehicles would instead use the Douglas & Sunrise intersection to access I-80.

Douglas and Sunrise is one of the top 10 busiest intersections in Roseville. In order to minimize the impact of a sudden increase in traffic at Douglas and Sunrise, two actions are immediately initiated remotely from the Traffic Operations Center.

First, a message is displayed on the Changeable Message Sign (CMS) on Sunrise Ave. This CMS is located in advance of the tunnel, alerting the motorist of the closure. The motorist can then decide to take an alternate route.

Secondly, the traffic signal at Douglas and Sunrise is modified to give any available time to the northbound approach—without compromising the traffic flow on Douglas Blvd.

Once Caltrans has completed their maintenance, the message displayed on the CMS is removed and the traffic signal timing at Douglas and Sunrise is returned to normal.

Tools you can use

Roseville is incorporating other ITS-related components along with our signal system to help reduce the amount of traffic congestion on busy roadways. The City uses this ITS technology with the goal of improving traffic circulation throughout the City as well as to decrease driver aggravation by providing them timely and relevant traveler information. This is accomplished by publishing real-time City traffic congestion, construction, special event, and major traffic incident information via the Internet and on changeable message signs.

Real-Time Traveler Information Tool
The City of Roseville’s Traffic Operations Section provides real-time traffic information to the public via the Internet. The real-time information includes traffic congestion levels, incident (accident) and construction activities, as well as links to live video at 100+ intersections throughout the city. In addition, intersection turning movement and volume count data is available at various locations. The purpose of real-time traffic information is to improve roadway operations by providing real-time information the public so that they can make informed travel decisions. You can also view Caltrans traffic cameras.

Changeable Electronic Message Signs
Another traffic control device that aids in providing real-time information is changeable message signs (CMS’s). These signs are located along roadways display real-time information to motorists such as details about accidents and special events. This information allows you to make informed decisions about your travel options.

Bus Tracker
Roseville Transit's Bus Tracker uses GPS technology to track the location of buses, providing estimated bus arrival times online for Local and Commuter routes. See up-to-the-minute maps and arrival times for your bus stop.

Project updates
Updated Jan. 23, 2024