Traffic Signal Coordination Study and Evacuation Plan – BACTS

The project goal was to support the ability for traffic signals to be timed for both “special events” at the University of Maine (such as homecoming, graduation, and sporting events) and the ability for traffic signals to support an evacuation plan for the local transportation system in case of a major emergency on the University of Maine campus. Sebago’s efforts involved the following:

• Inventory of existing traffic signal equipment
• Research into surrounding communication infrastructure to aid in the development of a traffic signal communication plan
• Scoping of traffic signal equipment upgrades
• Development of options for providing a traffic management center (TMC) for the region
• Phased implementation plan with associated costs for future procurement and deployment of equipment

These efforts resulted in the “Traffic Signal Coordination Study and Evacuation Plan” Report published in September of 2021 which was sent to BACTS and approved by the Policy Committee for adoption. The outcome of this plan will be the phased modernization of traffic signals in Orono and Old Town to collect traffic data 24/7/365 to aid in the development of signal timing plans, ultimately meeting the goals outlined by BACTS for future deployment and monitoring from a remote TMC.

After this report was complete, Sebago was retained by BACTS in 2023 to perform traffic signal inventories on the region’s 100+ traffic signals. This information was downloaded to an online web interface, remotely hosted by Sebago for ease of querying and filtering information. Sebago will be using this information to assist the BACTS region in the development of a region-wide master plan for connecting their traffic signals to one central traffic management system (TMS).

Sebago currently holds an on-call contract with all BACTS communities to scope traffic signal upgrades and provide long-term planning support for capital improvement projects.