Anaheim Advanced Traffic Control System Field Operational Test: Technical Evaluation of SCOOT

James E. Moore II, University of Southern California
C. Arthur MacCarley, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Stephen Mattingly, University of Texas at Arlington
Michael G. McNally, University of California - Irvine

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Copyright © 2005 Taylor & Francis. This is an electronic version of an article published in Transportation Planning and Technology. The definitive version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03081060500515622.

Abstract

This article provides a technical evaluation of the traffic control element of the Anaheim Advanced Traffic Control System Field Operations Test (FOT), sponsored by the US Department of Transportation. The primary objective for this test was the evaluation of adaptive traffic signal control technologies, including the Split Cycle and Offset Optimization Technique (SCOOT) for intersection signal control. The SCOOT evaluation was defined relative to existing, first generation Urban Traffic Control System (UTCS)-based control using standard US field detectorization. This US geometry is not the detector configuration normally used with SCOOT. SCOOT was implemented with some degree of success, though technical problems limited its performance. Anaheim's existing communication and controller systems contributed major deployment limitations since they were less adequate than anticipated. SCOOT remains in use in selected areas, with plans for system expansion.