Georgia Department of Transportation Olympic Signal Timing Project
Scope of Services
The initial concept for the Olympic Signal Timing Project was to provide priority movements at the signals to Olympic traffic such as athlete routes, sponsors, etc. These routes were to be identified and timing plans developed that would favor the priority vehicles in the traffic mix. Complicating this approach, were the following issues:
- The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) had identified more than 7,000 of these routes to be traveled by Olympic participants and spectators.
- The routes were in a constant state of flux and subject to change without notice. Many routes such as the athlete movements could not be distributed for security reasons.
- Many intersections were identified for manual control by the Atlanta Police Department, but even these intersections were subject to change.
Project Description
An alternative approach was required to define routes that would benefit from the development of coordinated signal timing plans. Delcan concluded that traffic progression opportunities within the Olympic Ring were limited by manually controlled intersections, lane and traffic restrictions, and anticipated gridlock conditions. It was agreed that a fresh approach was required. Operationally, the Olympic Ring would function as a vortex that would act as a source of traffic and absorb traffic at various times of day. In addition, movement inside the ring would be greatly impacted by outside sources functioning independently of any signal timing work. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it was recognized that driver expectations within the ring would be limited, whereas signal coordination expectations outside the ring would be much greater. Most significantly was the identification of the need to include routes that were parallel to the freeways in order to compliment the ATMS system concept. This approach would also benefit the Department by providing plans that could be used with the ATMS long after the Olympics were over.
Results
The Department had operational timing plans in time for the Olympics. The unique approach employed ensured the timing plans developed could be used for future special event traffic plans as well as normal time-of-day scheduled plans long after the Olympics were over.