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Press Release - Energy and Cost Savings from Traffic Signal Project
10/1/2008 - Released by Transportation Department
For more information contact Tracey Ganiatsos

The Boston Transportation Department this summer made a series of timing adjustments to traffic signals at 60 intersections in the Back Bay. Before and after studies showed that the adjustments resulted in a reduction in traffic delays up to 29%. As a result, the yearly reduction in travel delays at these Back Bay intersections is anticipated to be 135,000 hours, the total fuel consumption savings is estimated at 125,000 gallons per year, motor vehicle emissions are expected to be reduced by 4% to 10%, and the total reduction in Carbon Monoxide emissions will likely be 9.5 tons per year. BTD has now expanded this program city-wide.

"I am so pleased with this initiative," said Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. "This is a terrific project with far-reaching benefits. To cut fuel consumption and reduce emissions is a great accomplishment, and easing traffic congestion in the process is icing on the cake. I expect that the city, our residents and visitors will be reaping the rewards of this work for many years to come."

Work is nearly complete on a second segment of this project. This segment involves the retiming of a total of 29 traffic signals in six Boston neighborhoods. Examples of estimated benefits when this phase is complete are:
  • Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester - Total reduction in traffic delays of 40,000 hours per year. Total reduction in fuel consumption at 30,000 gallons per year. Total reduction in CO emissions at 2.2 tons per year.

  • Bennington Street, East Boston - Total reduction in traffic delays of 20,000 hours per year. Total reduction in fuel consumption at 20,000 gallons per year. Total reduction in CO emissions at 1.6 tons per year.

  • Washington Street, Roslindale - Total reduction in Traffic delays of 45,000 hours per year. Total reduction in fuel consumption at 60,000 gallons per year. Total reduction in CO emissions at 4.7 tons per year.


    • Furthermore, plans are in place to retime the traffic signals at an additional 91 traffic signals in Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Hyde Park, Brighton, the South End and the Financial District.

    Boston Transportation Commissioner Thomas J. Tinlin said, "By adjusting the timing and improving the coordination between traffic signals we realize significant gains. Decreasing traffic delays clearly is a plus for drivers. In addition, pedestrian safety is enhanced as a result of the more organized flow of traffic and, of course, everyone profits from the environmental impacts. We are thrilled to be able to share these benefits and we look forward to continuing this work throughout Boston's neighborhoods."

    "This is yet another example of how city agencies are pioneering innovations that improve public health and the environmental quality of our neighborhoods," said James W. Hunt, Boston's Chief of Environment and Energy. "These traffic congestion relief efforts are advancing our climate action agenda and are helping all Bostonians breathe better."

    In addition to the traffic signal retiming project, BTD is also in the process of installing new traffic signal equipment at 15 intersections in the city. Fourteen of these intersections are already signalized and will receive upgraded equipment, and traffic signals will be installed at the intersection of Milton Street and Granite Avenue in Dorchester for the first time. Furthermore, as necessary, the intersections will be outfitted with new signs, pavement markings and wheelchair ramps, traffic monitoring cameras and battery back-up units.

    The intersections will be equipped with countdown indicators, the current international standard that BTD is working to install citywide. Countdown signals clearly post the number of seconds a pedestrian has remaining to cross the street. The size of some of the lenses will also change, as the city's standard for signal lenses is now 12" and some current lenses are only 8". The 12" lenses provide for better visibility, make the signals clearer to both pedestrians and drivers, and therefore, increase safety.

    The intersections are:
    1. Park and Adams Streets, Dorchester

    2. Gibson and Adams Streets, Dorchester

    3. Ashmont and Adams Streets, Dorchester

    4. Milton Street and Granite Avenue, Dorchester

    5. Seaver and Harold Streets, Roxbury

    6. Seaver Street and Elm Hill Avenue, Roxbury

    7. West Broadway, East Broadway and Dorchester Street, South Boston

    8. Austin Street and Rutherford Avenue, Charlestown

    9. Parkman Street, Adams Street and Neponset Avenue, Dorchester

    10. Victory Road and Neponset Avenue, Dorchester

    11. Ashmont Street, Neponset Avenue and Freeport Street, Dorchester

    12. Charles Street and Mount Vernon Street, Beacon Hill

    13. Charles Street and Chestnut Street, Beacon Hill

    14. Charles Street and Revere Street, Beacon Hill
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    15. Charles Street and Pinckney Street, Beacon Hill.


    These signals will be outfitted with Light Emitting Diodes, or LED's, the current preferred alternative to incandescent lights. The LED's are brighter and more visible. They use less energy and result in significant cost savings for the city. They also last longer as bulbs have a life span of only 8,000 hours, but LED's are guaranteed for five years and often last for at least 10 years.

    In 2005 and 2006, BTD implemented Phase I of the LED project. Over 8,000 incandescent lamps were replaced with LED modules during this period, resulting in a savings of 4,608,255 KWH. Phase II of the project was implemented in 2007 and 2008. Over 1,800 additional incandescent lamps were replaced with LED modules resulting in a savings of 1,489,401 KWH. In total, the switch to LED's has brought about a reduction in traffic signal electricity consumption of approximately 70%. As energy costs go up, the city's cost savings from this project increase. BTD's energy costs are currently approximately ten cents per KWH, therefore, the city's current annual cost savings from the LED project is more than $600,000.
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