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Edmond Life and Leisure - May 1, 2025
The Operations Desk keeps a close eye on traffic in Edmond.
Keeping the traffic flowing
From City Source Edmond
Mobility is a challenge for growing cities – and Edmond is no different.
With the steady population growth comes more people moving around streets and neighborhoods. The challenges are something City staff is well aware of, and they are in the midst of a technological upgrade that can help ease some of those challenges.
The City of Edmond’s Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) began taking shape back in 2006. Today, almost two decades later, the City is equipped with some of the best systems in the industry.
“ITS is traffic signal technology that enables complex signal programming, safety enhancements and real-time feedback,” said Steve Lawrence, Di-
SPOTLIGHT: ITS traffic technology upgrades help Edmond move safely, efficiently in the future director of Engineering for the City of Edmond. “ITS implementation reduces vehicle delays at intersections by 40 percent during rush hour and by 75 percent during off-peak hours. Implementation of earlier ITS phases has reduced collisions by 50 percent at those intersections.”
ITS includes the use of field devices, communications infrastructure, and computer systems to improve traffic safety and mobility during congested periods, construction activities, maintenance activities, and incidents such as traffic collisions and other emergencies. ITS assists in the overall monitoring of the roadway network for failures and provides tools for allowing the changing of traffic patterns.
“It’s all about creating a connected network that can think and react in real time,” said Corson Smith, Senior Transportation Engineer for the City of Edmond. “The field devices, signals, cameras, and fiber optic communications all work together to give us a live picture of what’s happening on the roads. That allows us to respond instantly to congestion, be able to adjust signal timing, and even prioritize emergency vehicles—all from the Traffic Management Center. It’s a smarter, faster way to keep traffic flowing and people safe.”
The Traffic Management Center (TMC) – soon to be located in the Engineering Department section of the new City Hall – is where traffic will be
monitored for traffic incidents and other traffic congestion issues. The monitoring is accomplished through a network of fiber optic cables that will allow information to flow from the traffic lights to the TMC and back to the traffic lights.
If an incident or congestion issue is detected the situation will be evaluated and if an adjustment can be made to help move traffic away from or around that situation then an appropriate adjustment will be made.
Other benefits include school zone times and devices on firetrucks that “preempt” traffic signals to turn green for approaching emergency vehicles. This technology has improved the response time for first responders. The system also notifies the engineers about equipment failures.
“ITS technology allows signals to be programmed to allow pedestrians a ‘head start’ to cross for safety,” Lawrence said. “Leading-pedestrian intervals are proven to increase pedestrian safety. Real-time feedback to Edmond traffic engineers enables traffic signals to be controlled around events such as sports tournaments, construction and collisions. It also allows data collection to further enhance traffic flow and safety.”
Work on Phase IV of ITS began in March. This phase targets 19 intersections along the 33rd Street corridor from Broadway to I-35, as well as key stretches along Bryant Avenue (15th Street to Danforth Road), Boulevard (33rd Street to 2nd Street), and Danforth (Boulevard to Bryant Avenue).
As part of the ongoing ITS upgrade, the contractor will start by installing conduits for fiber optic cables along the Danforth corridor. From there, they will move south on Bryant Avenue towards 15th Street, then proceed along the 33rd Street and Boulevard corridors.
To minimize disruptions to daily commutes, the contractor will replace traffic signal cabinets on Sundays. This strategic scheduling ensures that major work is done when traffic is lighter, reducing the impact on travel plans.
“We are making steady progress on the project and currently anticipate completion in August 2026,” Smith said. “At this stage, we have finished approximately 20 percent of the conduit and pull box installation, and overall, the project is about 5 percent complete.”
The upgrades include installing 16 miles of fiber optic cable, 43 miles of electrical cables, 19 new traffic signal cabinets and controllers, 8 school zone systems, 39 flashing yellow left-turn signals, and 197 ADA-compliant pedestrian signals with audible messaging for the visually impaired. Additional features include CCTV cameras, radar vehicle detection, bicycle detection, emergency preemption, and 27 battery backup units.
These improvements will align the intersections with the National Transportation Communication for Intelligent Transportation System Protocol (NTCIP) standards, connecting them to Edmond’s TMC via fiber optics and the wireless network established in Phase I. Upon completion, 85 percent of Edmond’s traffic signals will meet modern standards, leaving just 15 percent operating on outdated technology.
The $12.57 million project, awarded to Traffic and Lighting System, LLC by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), is funded with 80 percent ($10.06 million) coming from federal grants and 20 percent ($2.51 million) provided by the City of Edmond through its 2000 Capital Improvement Sales Tax Fund. With a 450day timeline, the project is being overseen by Freese and Nichols engineering firm, with daily inspections and a City representative ensuring adherence to plans.
“We recognize that some roads and intersections also need to be widened,” Lawrence said. “However, ITS allows the most traffic to flow through any given area and is the best value for the taxpayer.”
Learn more about the ITS project at www.edmondok.gov/ITS.
Learn more about what’s happening around the City at www.edmondok.gov/CitySource.
