Pinellas County Public Works
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 All About Traffic


 Pinellas County Intelligent Transporation System (ITS) Management

Pinellas Countywide - Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) - Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) - Smarter, Safer, Faster

Mission
Our mission is to serve Pinellas County citizens by reducing travel congestion, improving roadway safety and increasing driver information and awareness.

ITS Benefit Documents

Review the technology and benefits in these streaming videos:
(Real Player Required- Get Free Real Player)
video link to the Benefits of ITS How Intelligent Transportation Systems Work - view video Real Video
Video link to the Traffic Danger and Safety ITS Accident Response - view video Real Video
Video link to Intersection Design The Future of ITS - view video Real Video
Benefits of ITS Benefits of ITS - view video Real Video
Traffic Safety and Enforcement Traffic Safety and Enforcement - view video Real Video
Traffic Danger and Safety Traffic Danger and Safety - view video Real Video
Intersection Design Intersection Design - view video Real Video

Presently, ITS includes 15 types of technology-based systems, divided into two focuses: intelligent infrastructure systems and intelligent vehicle systems.

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Intelligent Infrastructure

ITS icons

Intelligent Vehicles

intelligent vehicles

This broad range of wireless and wire-line communications-based traffic and traveler information systems are combined to help motorists make better decisions. When integrated into the transportation system infrastructure, and into vehicles themselves, these technologies help monitor and manage traffic, reduce congestion, provide alternate routes to travelers, enhance productivity, improve pedestrian and vehicle safety and increase the efficiency of the entire transportation network.

Implementation of ITS is being deployed in three phases.
View Map illustrating where ITS is operating and or being installed pdf file

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Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS)

ITS Video Wall imageA division of ITS, Advanced Traffic Management Systems integrates hardware, equipment and technology, such as advanced vehicle detectors, CCTV cameras and other electronic communication systems, in an effort to operate the traffic signals more efficiently. Traffic is monitored, the timing of traffic signals is optimized on major county roads and traffic flow is improved.

Pinellas County Traffic Management Division operates a Traffic Management Center, referred to as the Primary Control Center for the nationally recognized countywide ATMS system that is currently being built. This control center is the hub for both ATMS and ITS related activities. All County maintained traffic signals, CCTV cameras and dynamic message signs (DMS) signs bring information back to the PCC to be used by operations staff to manage the roadway network.

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Traffic Signal Maintenance and Operations
signalPinellas County operates and maintains more than 300 traffic signals for 22 municipalities. This includes determining where traffic signals should be located, how each signal operates and whether additional movements are necessary to provide the safest and most efficient operation.

The Traffic Management Division accepts requests from citizens for modifications to signals and handles complaints and concerns relative to the operation and timing of signals. Traffic signals are reevaluated on a 3 to 5 year rotation to ensure they are operating as intended.

Including traffic signals, emergency signals, school flashers and other electrical traffic control devices the traffic signal shop maintains more than 375 different locations countywide. The signal shop also maintains more than 500 street lights and 225 emergency fire traffic system preemption devices. The Traffic Management Division also maintains all ITS devices, including CCTV cameras, fiber optic cable and DMS.

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National Recognition

Pinellas County was recognized nationally by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) for its successful rollout of the first U.S.-based, computerized adaptive signal system on two major arterial roads. In conjunction with the Florida Department of Transportation, Public Works’ Transportation division developed a vigorous, multi-phased program implementing adaptive signal control strategies on congested arterial routes within Pinellas County. The benefits from the reductions in travel time represent decreases in stops, delays and fuel consumption while increasing overall speed among congested county routes. The results of one study for U.S. Highway 19 showed a $600,000 annual savings in fuel costs to motorists while the study results for State Road 60 demonstrated a $750,000 annual savings in fuel costs for the traveling public.

ITSA logoIntelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) was created in 1991 to be an advocate for the development and deployment of ITS in the U.S. Members include private corporations, public agencies, academic institutions and research centers. The common goal is to improve the safety, security and efficiency of the U.S. transportation system via ITS. Traffic accidents and congestion take a heavy toll in lives, lost productivity and wasted energy. ITS is the state-of-the-art, multi-modal transportation system that enables people and goods to move more safely and efficiently.

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