Building a modern traffic signal system is a complex undertaking. When finished, Baton Rouge will have one of the most connected traffic signal systems in America, thanks to the voters of East Baton Rouge Parish. Improvements to traffic signals are designed to improve travel time reliability and provide consistent commute times for personal and business travelers. These improvements include:
In many cases, traffic signals in our parish have outlasted their expected lifespan and lack the technology needed to provide efficient traffic management. A quick look at East Baton Rouge’s aging traffic equipment:
EBR Aging Equipment
Typical life expectancy: 15 year maximum
MOVEBR is building a connected city with centrally-managed mobility. Real-time control of signals will better manage:
A new signal system will mean faster emergency response times and more consistent commute times.
MOVEBR’s signal improvements were prioritized to improve traffic flow on surface streets before any lane closures planned in the I-10 widening project.
100% Complete Before 2024:
Prior to the MOVEBR program, East Baton Rouge Parish only had communication capability to less than half of our traffic signals. For over two years, we have installed fiber optic cable to connect the remaining signals at a rate of over 1000 feet a day. When complete, East Baton Rouge Parish will have:
These devices enable signals to detect vehicles and adjust timings based on actual traffic volumes. They collect traffic data to help the Advanced Traffic Management Center keep traffic flowing consistently.
88 strategically placed cameras monitor traffic and incidents and allow traffic engineers to make real-time responses to signal timing to help keep traffic moving.
These new signal controllers will:
Power outages contribute to traffic congestion and make conditions unsafe for drivers and pedestrians. They also cause delays for emergency vehicles. The MOVEBR program has installed 117 Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) on key corridors. These power supplies provide four hours of battery back-up to keep traffic moving while repairs are made.
To improve response times for emergency vehicles, the MOVEBR program has installed emergency vehicle preemption systems on East Baton Rouge Parish’s traffic signs. These turn signals green as emergency vehicles approach an intersection and improve safety for emergency responders and other roadway users.
New traffic count stations in key locations have been installed and are being connected to power by utility companies.
The MOVEBR program is installing new school flashers to help keep children safe. Once flashers are installed, they must be connected to power by utility companies. This work is expected to be complete by 2024.
Flashing yellow left-turn arrow signals are being installed on new capacity projects where left-turn lanes are protected to help reduce crashes during heavy traffic and delays when traffic flow is light. LADOTD is also installing these signals throughout the state, including state projects in East Baton Rouge Parish where appropriate.
East Baton Rouge Parish signals can be monitored from a central location by traffic engineers at the Advanced Traffic Management Center. New equipment in the field allows them access to data in a usable format to make decisions that will help keep traffic moving.
Other upgrades to the traffic signal system include signal rebuilds that are currently in design. MOVEBR is also adding pedestrian crossings where needed and some mid-block crossings to improve safety.
These devices detect anonymous Bluetooth signals from mobile devices and vehicles to determine travel times between points. This data helps traffic engineers improve signal timing and will be available via an app to help the public avoid congested areas.
Among the improved crosswalks for pedestrians, the MOVEBR signal improvements include High Intensity Activated CrossWalKs (HAWKs) which provide safe crossing where traditional intersections are not available or mid-block crossings on busy streets. The HAWKs are only activated when a pedestrian or bicyclist pushes a button to cross the street.
The new signal equipment is designed to adjust to changing technology and traffic patterns. It will be compatible with autonomous vehicles and adaptive signal timing.