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San Francisco Integrated Transportation Management System
Winter 2001
TANGLED STREET NETWORK
Wondering why you're stuck in traffic?
Looking for the best way to get to your destination?
It can be tough and often frustrating to get around San Francisco, whether you're going for a walk, bike ride, drive, or catching a bus. The good news is that a new City program is well underway to make your travels in and around the City a lot easier.
SFgo is the City's new Integrated Transportation Management System led by the Department of Parking and Traffic (DPT). Phases of the project will be implemented over the next several years to make our streets more effective and safer through the use of proven technologies and strategies. Travelers can expect signals that respond to the actual volume of traffic on a roadway, faster response by City personnel clearing an incident, real-time information on travel conditions and improved coordination between all modes of transportation. The program complements San Francisco's Transit First Policy by helping to preserve and enhance the City's alternate modes of transportation.
GO PARTNERSHIPS
SFgo is all about cooperation and partnership. For that reason DPT has pulled together a team of agencies that will contribute to and benefit from the effort. Representatives from these agencies form the program's Technical Advisory Committee and their role is to help develop the program and ensure that coordination between the agencies occurs smoothly. Working as a team, their objectives for SFgo are to:
- Minimize delays for all modes of transportation
- Respond in real-time to traffic incidents
- Address re-occurring and special event traffic
- Educate travelers about ways to help reduce congestion
- Convey real-time, accurate, and meaningful traveler information
The San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni), The San Francisco County Transportation Authority, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Caltrans, TravInfo, the California Highway Patrol and the Federal Highway Administration are on board and working cooperatively.
WHO BENEFITS
Implementing SFgo will offer a number of benefits for the traveling public.
Transit Riders will benefit from DPT and Muni working together in seeking solutions for an easier ride.
Carpoolers will have access to real-time information and will be able to link to regional information allowing for better decision-making at key points in their travels.
Bicyclists will have the use of calmer, safer roads. Informed drivers are more patient and sensitive to sharing the road with other travelers.
Pedestrians will also benefit from calmer, safer roads. It will also be possible to adjust signal timing during special events to enhance pedestrian movement.
Motorists will have access to real-time information and traffic signals will respond to actual traffic volumes and road conditions.
The Environment reduced travel time for vehicles means less fuel consumption and less vehicle emissions helping to improve the environment.
SFgo helps everyone!
TACKLING TRAFFIC AROUND THE CITY
Most signals in the City are fifty to sixty years old and the majority of these signals are coordinated using underground cables that are old and deteriorating. This system doesn't respond to actual traffic volumes or roadway conditions. The first step of SFgo will be upgrading the infrastructure. Then we will add Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies to enhance the signal system.
SFgo will be implemented in phases and each phase will focus on a specific area of the City. Over the next several years, you can expect SFgo to address transportation issues in the following areas:
 1. South of Market (SOMA)
SOMA is home to a large, expanding commercial district, a major convention center, numerous cultural and recreation attractions and is a popular area for large special events, such as baseball games at Pacific Bell Park. Combined, all these activities lead to extremely high congestion within the area, especially during rush hour. ITS tools such as traffic cameras and message signs are being added to help travelers stay informed of delays and alternate routes as well as minimize congestion for all roadway users. This phase of SFgo has been functional since Spring 2005. Approximately $6 million has been secured for this initial phase implementation.
2. Oak and Fell Streets
The City is upgrading traffic signals and controllers along Oak and Fell Streets. This provides an excellent opportunity to install advanced traffic signal controllers and improve the infrastructure along this corridor to allow for integration with the Transportation Management Center. DPT secured an additional $1.2 million to install vehicle detection, cameras, and dynamic message signs along this corridor beginning in 2003.
3. Central Freeway
Demolition of the remaining portion of the Central Freeway and construction of Octavia Boulevard will intensify traffic in the area. Use of ITS tools will help guide traffic through the area during this challenging time and improve travel conditions between Downtown and the Sunset and Richmond areas. DPT will upgrade traffic signals and infrastructure in the surrounding area by Spring 2003.
4. 3rd Street Light Rail Project
Muni's 3rd Street Light Rail Project will expand and improve the City's transit service to the Bayview and Hunter Point areas. The traffic signals and interconnect system will also be upgraded as part of the light rail construction. An additional $900,000 has been secured by DPT for SFgo to install vehicle detection, cameras, and dynamic message signs along the corridor in 2004-2005. Integration between DPT and Muni will enhance the operations of both agencies by providing for transit signal priority and monitoring of roadway conditions. Roadway users will benefit from real-time travel information.
5. Doyle Drive
Doyle Drive is the primary link from San Francisco to the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin County, and other North Bay communities. Caltrans and the San Francisco County Transportation Authority are developing a Traffic Management Plan to address the existing design of the roadway and the high levels of congestion. As part of the project, Caltrans has provided DPT with $400,000 to implement a Motorist Information System and to integrate fully with the Caltrans/CHP Transportation Management Center in Oakland. Integration will greatly assist cooperation between Caltrans and San Francisco and enhance the capabilities of both systems. Roadway users will benefit from real-time traveler information.
6. 19th Avenue/Park Presidio/Lombard
The City & County of San Francisco has partnered with Caltrans to upgrade traffic signals and infrastructure along 19th Avenue, Park Presidio Boulevard, and Lombard Street. This plan will include additional ITS tools to monitor the roadway and minimize congestion for all users. This project is scheduled for construction in 2003-2004.
7. Bush Street
Traffic signals along Bush Street, from Presidio Avenue to Kearny Street, will undergo a full upgrade by 2003. This means new advanced traffic signal controllers and the needed technology to allow for integration with the Transportation Management Center.
8. Ocean Avenue
Existing traffic signals along Ocean Avenue from Junipero Serra Boulevard to San Jose Avenue will be upgraded and three new signals will be installed by Spring 2003. Advanced traffic signal controllers will be used along with a new interconnect.
INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS GO IN OTHER U.S. CITIES
San Francisco is not the first city to implement a transportation management system utilizing Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies. Throughout the country, cities are being improved by ITS technology. These are some examples.
Seattle, Washington
The Smart Trek system in Seattle integrated the transportation infrastructure and communications systems to provide real-time traveler information. Transit information is available over the Internet and at major transit centers. The system also monitors roadway conditions, coordinates traffic signals and manages incident response. Dynamic message signs alert drivers of traffic delays and congested roadway segments.
San Jose, California
The Silicon Valley ITS Program was established by a partnership of local, regional and state agencies to address the growing congestion problems in the area. With six cities, the county and Caltrans all managing segments of the busy I-880 corridor, it was difficult and often impossible for traffic congestion to be addressed in a cohesive manner. As a result of the program, all agencies are now aware of real-time roadway conditions and respond accordingly. A shared network of cameras, signs and communication infrastructure provides traffic managers with a regional resource to meet the public"s demand for better service.
Phoenix, Arizona
In Arizona, AZTech monitors and responds to traffic delays year-round to reduce travel times. The project is a cooperative effort between the State Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Planning Organization and cities in the greater Phoenix area. Vehicle detection along all major roadways provides transportation management centers with real-time information on roadway conditions. That information is shared with drivers through the use of dynamic message signs. Travelers can also receive personalized traffic information via e-mail and wireless devices notifying them of conditions in advance of starting their trip.
WHERE DOES ALL THE INFORMATION GO?
 The Transportation Management Center (TMC) is the central site for collecting and sharing data received from traffic cameras and vehicle detection devices throughout the City. Because of the center's importance, the City has been moving quickly to establish the center and provide the necessary infrastructure to support the new system. The TMC is expected to be fully operational in Summer 2005.
The center is located at 25 Van Ness Avenue. Construction of the office space is complete and the TMC layout is currently being designed. A detailed, flexible design will allow optimal use of the state-of-the-art equipment. In addition to the TMC, satellite workstations at Pacific Bell Ballpark and the Office of Emergency Services are also planned.
GOING FOR REAL-TIME
In developing SFgo, we will reach into our Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) toolbox. These "high tech tools" enhance City staff's capabilities to identify, analyze and respond effectively to problems in the transportation network.
The Transportation Management Center (TMC) is the central location for gathering and sharing data. Skilled operators monitor real-time data and video, and have communication tools necessary to organize appropriate staff or implementing strategies.
Traffic Cameras are used to monitor roadway conditions, verify incidents and confirm changes made from the TMC.
Vehicle detection is used to detect the presence of vehicles waiting for a traffic signal or count the number of vehicles on a roadway. It enables the signal system to respond to traffic demands and provides operators with traffic speed and volume data to enhance decision-making.
Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) are the primary tool for communicating to travelers. Installed in advance of key traveler decision points, messages can alert travelers of a detour, parking availability, or traffic delays.
 Advanced Traffic Signal Controllers will enable operators to remotely change signal timing in response to real-time traffic conditions.
GOING FORWARD:
SFgo will implement projects throughout the City and County of San Francisco over the next twenty years. The Initial Phase implementation is scheduled to be completed in Summer 2005 as shown on the adjacent schedule (pdf).
CONTACT US!
Municipal Transportation Agency
Department of Parking and Traffic - SFgo Program
1 So. Van Ness Avenue, 7th Floor
San Francisco, California 94103-5417
415.701.4500
email:sfgo@sfmta.com
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