Plan cuts Cool Springs commutes

THE TENNESSEAN • April 22, 2009
FRANKLIN — While downtown motorists are being rerouted all around town to avoid ongoing construction projects, there's better news for those who frequent Cool Springs.
A new traffic signal timing program has reduced drive times in that area by up to 45 percent, according to city officials.
That's compared to last October, when new timing patterns for 23 Cool Springs traffic signals were first enacted, the result of an $89,150 traffic study that evaluated morning, noon and evening peak periods.
During December, engineers installed new timing patterns for the Christmas season. In February, a second phase of timing patterns were begun to handle average weekday traffic loads.
City officials say the changes have reduced traffic delays as well as vehicle emissions.
Before the study, a motorist attempting to drive the entire 23-intersection study area during a weekday could have faced up to 25.2 minutes in delays. Today, that time has been cut down to 18.5 minutes, according to a report by consultants Kimley-Horn and Associates.
"This study confirms the need to continue this program not only in Cool Springs, but other parts of the city as well," said Kevin Comstock, project manager. "I think the nation as a whole sees this as a positive aspect to traffic, that we can actually reduce delays and fuel consumption with timed traffic signals."
The new report says the city's traffic signals should be retimed every three years.
"The study suggests the city will continue to benefit over the next few years if we continue to research and calibrate our timing based on traffic studies such as this," said Eric Stuckey, city administrator.
The city began its ongoing traffic counts and Congestion Management Program back in 2006.
City officials are also slated to receive $550,000 in federal stimulus money to spend on the city's Intelligent Transportation System traffic project.
The project would add a number of traffic improvements such as greater synchronization, cameras and message boards.