Adaptive Signal Programming During 2019 Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta Reduced Travel Times by 50 Percent.
Atlanta Study Explored the Benefits of Smart Traffic Signal Programming for Pedestrian and Vehicles at Large-Crowd Events.
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
2017 Super Bowl Operations
Summary Information
With the anticipation of several large-crowd events in downtown Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) partnered with the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), the Atlanta Police Department (APD), the Atlanta Super Bowl Host Committee, and a consulting firm to produce the Downtown Atlanta Special Events Playbook for downtown special events transportation to facilitate efficient crowd directing. The team introduced new advanced traffic management strategies, including time-of-day pedestrian scrambles and preemption traffic signal timings. This coordinated approach enabled a more efficient flow of pedestrians and vehicles across the downtown area by leveraging optimized signal timing, communication systems, and CCTV surveillance, while allowing officers to concentrate on enforcing the traffic plan and protecting pedestrians.
METHODOLOGY
To support over 250 optimized intersections, GDOT upgraded signal firmware, deployed 4G communications, installed 40 new CCTV cameras, and launched a real-time performance metrics website. Specialized signal timing plans were developed, including time-of-day pedestrian scrambles, which allowed all-way crossings during peak periods and were remotely controlled from the GDOT Traffic Management Center (TMC). These scrambles extended pedestrian walk times, helping manage large crowds efficiently while reducing conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians. GDOT also introduced event-specific signal controls for vehicles. For example, in coordination with the National Football League (NFL) and law enforcement, GDOT engineers created custom preemption signal plans for key transport routes, enabling seamless movement of cheerleaders, media, celebrities, VIPs, and the two NFL teams. This new system cleared congestion in advance of team bus convoys and police escorts, enhancing safety and efficiency. On game day, escorts radioed the TMC, triggering preprogrammed signal sequences across multiple intersections to keep the routes clear.
FINDINGS
The main findings from the study were as follows:
- The number of police officers required at intersections decreased by 67 percent (from 6 to two officers) after updating timing and TMC control.
- For the Falcons’ home opener in September 2017, which is a sellout game of more than 70,000 fans, the travel time out of the event in the planned zone was reduced by 50 percent compared to the 2016 Falcons season after implementing the smart signal programming.
- This smart signal programming was also applied during the 2019 Super Bowl LIII. The travel time in the surrounding area during event times was reduced by 50 percent,1 allowing for a smoother travel experience for everyone on the road.
1Georgia Department of Transportation — SUPER BOWL LIII: Georgia DOT’s Transportation Playbook A Game Changer, https://americastransportationawards.org/georgia-department-of-transportation-super-bowl-liii-georgia-dots-transportation-playbook-a-game-changer/
