Traffic light upgrade makes corner of Columbus and South Main a little less gnarly

EYE IN THE SKY: Said to be the backbone of downtown traffic flow, the corner of Columbus Ave. and South Main St. just got more efficient (Courtesy Google Earth)

ROCHESTER - Rochester city officials announced on Thursday that the Department of Public Works has installed a state-of-the-art traffic management system at the intersection of South Main Street and Columbus Avenue.

The technology upgrade's main function is real-time measurement of traffic flow and optimization of traffic light timing. In addition, the system assists with traffic studies, volume counts, speed, and bicycle/pedestrian pathway studies.

Instead of conventional technology that utilizes cable loops under the pavement of each approach to alert the central management computer, an overhead 360-degree camera visualizes flows from all approaches and communicates traffic loadings to a central computer.

The technology is adaptive in that the system can record traffic flows and adjust signal timing based on hour, date and season. Additionally, traffic data and patterns are logged automatically and phasing/timing changes are made remotely rather than crews having to go onsite.

According to City Services Director Peter Nourse, the system has the potential to reduce travel time up to 25 percent, waiting up to 40 percent, emissions up to 20 percent and traffic stops up to 30 percent.

"Part of our master plan has been to install this system along Columbus Avenue, which is the backbone signal route of Rochester," said Nourse. "Traffic loads statewide are increasing, and we need to look to technology to help us mitigate congestion and improve traffic flows.

In recent years, many neighboring communities have worked to ease traffic congestion. Several municipalities in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts have adopted similar adaptive traffic signal control systems.

The upgrade was initially approved in the FY20 municipal budget. The cost of the upgrade was not immediately available from city officials.

For privacy, the system produces a low-resolution image and does not have facial recognition capability or capture license plate information. The camera is not tied to any type of enforcement system and complies with all state statutes governing cameras on roadways.

New Hampshire Revised Statutes, Section 236:130, states that neither the State of New Hampshire nor its political subdivisions shall engage in surveillance on any public ways of the state or its political subdivisions. Nothing in this section shall prevent the creation, transmission, or recording of any images or data which cannot, by enhancement, manipulation, or otherwise, be used for surveillance. In the subdivision, "surveillance" means the act of determining the ownership of a motor vehicle or the identity of a motor vehicle's occupants through the use of a camera or other imaging device.