TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND ITS DESIGN EXPERIENCE

 

 

The design of a 36-signal closed loop system for St. Johns County, Florida.  Client: Florida Department of Transportation - District 2  A detailed set of plans and an extensive set of special provisions were developed for this state-of-the-art traffic control system which utilizes fiber optic cable for master-to-local communications.  Since a large portion of the system is within historic St. Augustine, a number of important aesthetic and archeological issues had to be addressed within the plans and specifications.  We also provided construction inspection services for this project.

 

Design of the I-95 ITS System in Palm Beach County.  Client: Florida Department of Transportation - District 4  Final design plans and Technical Special Provisions were prepared for the installation of 16 permanent Dynamic Message Signs, 34 CCTV cameras, and 155 RTMS detection units along Interstate 95 in Palm Beach County, Florida.  A 40 mile long fiber-optic communication system (using two 48-count single mode fiber-optic cables) was also designed as was a four-node multiplexer system and associated central control elements.

 

Communication, camera surveillance, and signal design for the expansion of Indian River County's 105-signal closed loop system.  Client: Florida Department of Transportation - District 4  Using the County's existing SONET system, upgrades were designed to facilitate communication with master controllers and 30 pan/tilt/zoom cameras.  A large fiber-optic interconnect system (using 96-count single mode fiber-optic cables) was also designed as were numerous traffic signal improvements.

 

The design of a 22-signal closed loop system along Lem Turner Road in Jacksonville, Florida.  Client: Florida Department of Transportation - Jacksonville Urban Office   A detailed set of plans and an extensive set of technical special provisions were developed for this traffic control system which will utilize fiber-optic master-to-local communications.  Prior to initiating the design, a detailed system timing report was prepared for FDOT review which contained information on existing signal operation and identified needed signal improvements. 

 

The design of a queue detection system at 3 locations in Broward County, Florida.  Client: Florida Department of Transportation - District 4  A "stopped queue" warning system was designed for three overpasses in Broward County (Commercial Boulevard at Florida's Turnpike, Sheridan Road at Tri-Rail, and Oakland Park Boulevard at Florida's Turnpike).  This system uses a set of flashing signs to warn motorists when signal-related queues extend to a dangerous point on the far side of the overpass.

 

The design of 12 traffic signals and 2 school zone flashers along SR 21 (Blanding Boulevard) in Clay County, Florida.  Client: Sverdrup/Florida Department of Transportation - District 2

 

Traffic Signal Design for Phases I and II of the Monument Road Widening.  Client: Aikenhead and Odom (now Edwards & Kelcy)/Jacksonville Transportation Authority   A detailed set of traffic signal plans and TS-2 closed-loop technical special provisions were generated for this project and a unique unipole mast arm design was developed for the Monument/Lone Star intersection.

 

 

The design of 3 traffic signals on US Navy bases and 6 traffic signals at the Kennedy Space Center.  Client: US Navy/NASA   All four signals were designed using military format for plans and specifications.  A special design was prepared for the Kennedy Space Center signal to accommodate the high vertical clearance and wide turning radius associated with rocket-carrier access.  Three of the NASA signals were located at security gates and included special logic to accommodate gate operation.

 

The design of signalization plans for 8 traffic signals located along SR 580, SR 595, and Florida Avenue in the Tampa Bay Area.  Client: American Engineering/Florida Department of Transportation - District 7   A special design was prepared for one of the SR 580 signals to ensure that the signal poles did not extend into the flight path of Tampa International Airport.

 

The design of a 5-signal closed loop system for Wonderwood-Segment 1 in Jacksonville, Florida.  Client: Connelly & Wicker Engineers/Jacksonville Transportation Authority   Engineering plans and technical special provisions were developed for this small closed-loop system.  Included in this project was the design of a traffic signal for an existing fire station.  Prior to initiating the signal system design, a comprehensive traffic study was prepared which identified the optimum lane arrangement and signal phasing for each intersection.

 

The design of a 34-signal closed loop system for Martin County, Florida.  Client: Florida Department of Transportation - District 4   A detailed set of plans and an extensive set of special provisions were developed for this NEMA TS-1 traffic control system which utilizes twisted-pair cable for master-to-local communications.   

 

The design of diamond interchange signals and at I-75/SR 54 in Pasco County, Florida.  Client: American Engineering/Florida Department of Transportation - District 7

 

The design of 4 traffic signals near the US 1/SR 9A interchange in Jacksonville, Florida.  Client: Fred Wilson & Associates/Florida Department of Transportation - District 2   Engineering plans were developed for these mast arm traffic signals.  Included in this project was the design of a traffic signal for an existing fire station located just north of the interchange.  Prior to initiating the signal design, a traffic study was prepared which identified the optimum lane arrangement and signal phasing throughout the US 1 corridor

 

The design of diamond interchange traffic signals at I-95/SR 16 in St. Johns County, Florida.  Client: Florida Department of Transportation - District 2

 

A Data Transmission Feasibility Study for FDOT's Statewide Traffic Data Collection System.  Client: Reynolds, Smith & Hills/Florida Department of Transportation - Central Office   This systems consists of approximately 220 data collection sites throughout Florida, including WIM sites, speed sites, and vehicle classification sites, as well as count-only sites.  Buckholz Traffic submitted a data transmission study that identified and evaluated various communication alternatives for these sites.  Options investigated include high-speed telephone modems, cellular transmission, satellite communications, UHF transmission, and microwave communications.  A cost-effectiveness matrix was used to rank the candidate alternatives.  Field testing and troubleshooting assignments were then completed wherein complete communication systems were tested for operational characteristics.  Finally, repair activities were undertaken at problem sites throughout Florida.

 

 

The design of signalization plans for intersections throughout Broward and Palm Beach Counties.  Client: Florida Department of Transportation - District 4   As part of the responsibilities associated with the District 4 Traffic operations contract, Buckholz traffic personnel have designed approximately 20 traffic signals within these 2 counties.  Locations include US 27/Griffin Road, US 441/Loxahatchee Road, Powerline Road/Boca Grove Boulevard, Commercial Boulevard/NW 5th Street, Commercial Boulevard/64th Avenue, US 1/15th Street, SR A1A/NW 9th Street, US 441/Mecca Boulevard, and so on.

 

The design of a traffic signal for Fire Station #33 in Duval County, Florida.  Client: Connelly & Wicker Engineers/City of Jacksonville  A set of traffic signal design plans with fire station preemption were prepared for this new fire station.

 

The design of an Overhead Lane Use Control System and Blank-Out Sign System for Birmingham Avenue in Jacksonville, Florida.  Client: US Navy   Birmingham Avenue is a major east-west roadway located inside the Jacksonville Naval Air Station.  A complete set of final plans and detailed technical special provisions were prepared for this job in accordance with US Navy Specifications.  This project involves the construction of 7 overhead lane use gantries and a supporting communications and control network with central monitoring and manual override.  Since the direction of the entire roadway must be reversed to handle commuter traffic, it was also necessary to design a complete system of electrically powered single message and dual message blank-out signs (one way, no right turn, no left turn, etc.). 

 

The design of an advanced change interval warning system at 3 locations in Broward County, Florida.  Client: Florida Department of Transportation - District 4  A change interval warning system was designed for three locations in Broward County (SW 10th Street at Military Trail, SW 10th Street at SW 12th Avenue, and Commercial Boulevard at NW 49th Avenue).  This system uses a set of flashing signs to give motorists advanced warning that the traffic signal indication is about to turn yellow.

 

The design of 3 traffic signals in Alachua County, Florida. Client: Alachua County/University of Florida  Signal design plans were prepared for the NW 39th Avenue/NW 98th Street intersection, the SW 24th Avenue/SW 75th Street intersection, the US 441/NE 53rd Avenue intersection, and the SW 34th Street/Hull Road intersection. 

 

The design of 2 traffic signals for the new Belleview By-Pass in Marion County, Florida.   Client: Jones, Edmunds & Associates/Marion County   The design of these two box-span concrete strain pole traffic signals was completed in April of 2002.  A comprehensive long-range transportation study was completed prior to the design work to establish the optimum lane configuration and signal phasing at these two intersections.  Supporting signal warrant analyses were also completed.

 

Design of the SE 31st Street/Weir Road traffic signal in Ocala, Florida.  Client: City of Ocala, Florida.  The design of this box-span concrete strain pole traffic signal was completed in September of 2002.  Extensive utility coordination was required to avoid overhead electric utility lines.

 

Design of the SR 35 (Baseline Road)/SE 66th Street traffic signal in Marion County, Florida.   Client: Jones, Edmunds & Associates/Marion County   The design of this box-span concrete strain pole traffic signal was completed in August of 2002.  Preemption phasing and timing was developed due to the intersection's close proximity to an active rail line.

 

The design of a traffic signal for a new Fire Station in Key West, Florida.  Client: Gonzalez Architects/Florida Department of Transportation - District 6  A set of traffic signal design plans with fire station preemption were prepared for this new fire station located on US 1 in Monroe County.

 

The design of a 5-signal closed loop system along Hendricks Avenue in Jacksonville, Florida.  Client: Connelly & Wicker Engineers/Florida Department of Transportation - District 2   A detailed set of plans and technical special provisions were developed for this traffic control system.  These signals are located in a very tight urban area where right-of-way is scare, which complicated the mast arm layout and design.

 

The design of a 6-signal closed loop system along New Kings Road in Jacksonville, Florida.  Client: Florida Department of Transportation - District 2   A detailed set of plans and an extensive set of model 170 technical special provisions were developed for this traffic control system which will utilize fiber-optic master-to-local communications.

 

Development of signalization plans for:

 1.)       7 intersections in Downtown Perry, Florida

 2.)       6 intersections and interconnect along SR A1A in Daytona Beach, Florida

 3.)       6 intersections along northern Lane Avenue in Jacksonville, Florida

 4.)       5 intersections and interconnect along Thomasville Road in Leon County

 5.)       5 intersections and interconnect along SR 30 in Pensacola, Florida

 6.)       4 intersections in Downtown Madison, Florida

 7.)       4 intersections in Broward County, Florida

 8.)       3 intersections along Park Street in Jacksonville, Florida

 9.)       3 intersections along Leonid Road in Jacksonville, Florida

10.)      3 intersections along Wells Road in Orange Park, Florida

11.)      3 intersections in west Jacksonville (Normandy Blvd./Lane Ave., San Juan Ave./Lane Ave., and 103rd Street/La Ventura Dr.

12.)      2 intersections in Downtown Jasper, Florida

13.)      Atlantic Avenue/Whatley Road intersection in Palm Beach County, Florida

14.)      CR 210/SR A1A intersection in Ponte Vedra, Florida

15.)      I-95/SR 60 interchange in St. Lucie County, Florida

16.)      San Jose Boulevard/University Avenue intersection in Jacksonville, Florida

17.)      Emerson Street/Emerson Street Expressway intersection in Jacksonville, Florida

18.)      US 301/Edwards Road intersection in Starke, Florida

19.)      SR A1A/George King Boulevard urban single-point interchange in Brevard County, Florida.

20.)      SR 10/SR 73 intersection in Marianna, Florida

21.)      US 27/Stirling Road intersection in Broward County, Florida

22.)      Seminole Pratt Whitney Drive/Orange Boulevard intersection in Palm Beach County, Florida

23.)      NW 39th Avenue/NW 24th Boulevard intersection in Gainesville, Florida

24.)      Indiantowm Road/Chasewood Plaza intersection in Jupiter, Florida

25.)      US 1/Northrup Grumman Entrance in St. Johns County, Florida

26.)      Fire Station 58 in Jacksonville, Florida

27.)      US 17/Busch Drive in Jacksonville, Florida

28.)      SR 16/Portofino Drive in St. Johns County, Florida

29.)      Dunn Avenue/Pine Estates Road in Jacksonville, Florida

30.)      3 intersections along Touchton Road in Jacksonville, Florida

31.)      Belle Terre Parkway/Royal Palm Parkway in Palm Coast, Florida

32.)      Collins Road/Plantation Bay in Jacksonville, Florida

33.)      CR 210/Russell Sampson Road/Leo Maguire Road in St. Johns County, Florida

34.)      SR 207/Wildwood Drive in St. Johns County, Florida

35.)      US 17/Orange Avenue in Green Cove Springs, Florida

36.)      US 1/5th Avenue in Nassau County, Florida

37.)      2 intersections in Panama City, Florida

38.)      Mt. Pleasant Road/Gately Road in Jacksonville, Florida

39.)      2 intersections along Cypress Point Parkway in Palm Coast, Florida

40.)      SR 13/SR 16 in St. Johns County, Florida

41.)      Palm Harbor Drive/European Village entrance in Palm Coast, Florida

42.)      2 intersections along East-West Parkway in Clay County, Florida

43.)      CR 5A/King Estates Road in St. Johns County, Florida

44.)      Belle Terre Parkway/Rymfire Drive in Palm Coast, Florida

45.)      Belle Terre Parkway/Pine Lakes Road N. in Palm Coast, Florida

46.)      Belle Terre Parkway/Royal Palms Drive in Palm Coast, Florida

47.)      Belle Terre Parkway/Belleair Drive in Palm Coast, Florida

48.)      3 intersections along Amelia Island Concourse in Nassau County, Florida

49.)      2 intersections along Greenland Road in Jacksonville, Florida

50.)      3 fire station signals in Palm Coast, Florida

51.)      Palm Coast Parkway/Club House Drive in Palm Coast, Florida

52.)      Palm Coast Parkway/Florida Park Drive in Palm Coast, Florida

53.)      Regency Square North/Kendall West in Jacksonville, Florida

Various Clients

 

Completion of inductance loop replacement projects and permanent traffic counter installation designs at over 100 sites located throughout Florida.  Various Clients

 

Buckholz traffic has also completed extensive traffic signal retiming projects, involving over 1000 traffic signals, in Jacksonville, Tampa, and Gainesville, Florida and traffic signal CEI projects in both Jacksonville and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  Various Clients

 

 

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This page was last updated on 02.26.08