Gresham Smith Awarded Statewide Traffic Operations Contract in Alabama
Gresham Smith is one of three firms that has been selected by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to manage a new, innovative statewide Regional Traffic Operations Program on key corridors to reduce congestion and make travel more consistent.
The two-year contract calls for the firm to actively manage, maintain and assist ALDOT with the operation of 112 traffic signals and their associated Intelligent Transportation Systems devices on two corridors in the Birmingham area: the US-31 corridor from Calera to Birmingham (71 signals) and the US-78 corridor from Graysville to Birmingham (41 signals). The goal of the program is to improve traffic flow, safety and travel time reliability through active management strategies along major corridors in every corner of the state.
The firm’s project team will draw from its Transportation Systems Management & Operations group to implement signal coordination, consistent signal timing methodology, real-time signal management and a pro-active response to maintenance issues.
“Historically, when our congested roadways reach capacity, we have widened them or made other capacity improvements,” said Blair Perry, P.E., Alabama state transportation leader at Gresham Smith. “ALDOT’s forward-thinking program will allow us to get a better return on our existing infrastructure investments by taking an active approach to corridor management. In other words, we’re putting technology to use to pro-actively improve the overall experience on state routes to improve peak travel times and safety for all users.”
Gresham Smith’s transportation professionals deliver comprehensive management, planning, design, environmental, and construction phase services for highway, transit, aviation and rail facilities throughout the Southeast. The staff of engineers, planners and scientists capitalize on the firm’s diverse blend of markets and disciplines to offer a truly integrated and sustainable approach that considers all perspectives and offers practical, forward-thinking solutions.