Learn how Halton Region manages Regional Road traffic signal timing to help keep traffic moving efficiently.
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Traffic signals are timed to keep roads moving.
Halton Region operates and maintains the regional traffic signal system. It also manages the signal timings on all Regional Roads.
To optimize signal timing, Halton Region:
Traffic signals coordinate so vehicles can move along a street without stopping at every light.
This can be challenging with two-way streets, big intersections and lots of traffic.
A computerized traffic control system monitors, coordinates and communicates with intersection traffic lights.
There are three types of traffic signal operations:
Most traffic signals at Regional intersections are either semi or fully actuated.
There are two ways to determine if a car is waiting in an intersection:
A detector loop is a wire coil that’s connected to the controller equipment.
Vehicles should always stop at the white stop bar painted on the road so that the detector loops can activate and change the signals.
Pole mounted video detection cameras use video technology to detect a vehicle.
The Region has partnered with the four local municipalities to replace the existing High Pressure Sodium (HPS) street lights to efficient, Light Emitting Diodes (LED) technology fixtures to reduce energy consumption and cost savings in operations and maintenance for transportation infrastructure along the Regional Road Network. The work began in 2018 and is anticipated be completed by fall 2020. This initiative is supported by Federal Gas Tax Funding.
The program will improve traffic flow and safety on Regional roads and reduce carbon footprint of Regional operations.
Once complete, the project will have converted approximately 5900 existing street lights to LED throughout the Region. Additional upgrades through capital road construction projects over the next few years will increase the Region’s street light network to approximately 6500.