Adaptive Control Software Lite (ACS-Lite) is a low cost signal timing optimization system that dynamically adjusts signal timing to meet current traffic demands. Through a public-private partnership between FHWA, Siemens, The University of Arizona, Purdue University, Siemens/Eagle, Econolite, Quixote/Peek and McCain Traffic ACS-Lite was developed. As stated in the RFP field tests of ACS-Lite have resulted in estimated annual user cost savings ranging between $88,000 and $757,000. This system, if successfully demonstrated, could be implemented in some of the New York State (NYS) corridors where variability and unpredictability in traffic demand results in excessive delay and stops that cannot be reasonably accommodated by updating coordinated signal timing parameters.

The research team assembled for this contract includes UTRC member Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and the City College of New York (CCNY), and non-UTRC members Siemens ITS, SenSys Networks, Annese and Associates, Inc. Hereafter, the study team shall be referred to as the Consultant and the NYSDOT Project Manager/Technical Working Group will be referred to as NYSDOT.

The main objectives of this research project are to:

• Demonstrate and evaluate the Siemens ACS-Lite technology and signal timing optimization system at nine (9) signalized intersections along Wolf Road in Albany, N.Y.
• Deploy a SenSys Arterial Travel Time (ATT) system to allow the collection of arterial and volume data along this corridor.
• Conduct a Before-and After traffic study on Wolf Road in Albany, N.Y., to assess the operation and cost benefits of the ACS Lite software and hardware applications.
• Document in a final report the results of the study, including findings, conclusions and recommended improvements to future deployments.