By Debby Woodin

dwoodin@joplinglobe.com

Joplin could try out some new technology in traffic signals if the City Council approves funding for the project at its meeting today.

The new signals, called Adaptive Signal Controls, would be tried first at some busy 20th Street intersections like those at Main Street, and Joplin and Wall avenues.

“It is the latest in traffic-signal upgrades,” said Jack Schaller, assistant director of Joplin’s Public Works Department. “It uses artificial intelligence that monitors traffic flows and makes adjustments accordingly.”

Unlike a timed traffic signal or a signal that uses a camera to detect traffic flow, adaptive signals detect and store traffic patterns, and adjust the length of the signal for each pattern, Schaller said.

“If you have a peak in the morning, it will adapt to that peak, and if you have a different traffic pattern in the afternoon, it adjusts,” he said.

Artificial intelligence remembers those patterns for four weeks, so if there is a power outage or some other interruption, the signal can operate on memory, Schaller said.

The goal is to improve traffic flow, reduce vehicle emissions and help with fuel efficiency by limiting stops.

In addition, a city worker can operate the signals remotely and wirelessly to help coordinate traffic relief if an accident occurs or if traffic has to be rerouted.

The technology costs $25,000 per signal, about $5,000 more than existing signals, Schaller said. The new signals would be installed at seven intersections if the council authorizes a $250,000 expenditure to buy and install the equipment and the monitoring devices.

Schaller said the signals have been used in Kansas City “and worked well in the metro area there.”

The Missouri Department of Transportation will install some of the signals at intersections on state routes in Joplin. The city and MoDOT will compare notes. If the signals work well, the city and state eventually will try to install them at most major intersections.

The Public Works Department also will ask the council to authorize spending $180,760 to do geographic information system mapping of manholes. Schaller said that would allow the location of manholes to be pinpointed more exactly on maps. The GIS also would record the depth of the manholes, what type they are, how many inlets and outlets they contain, and their condition. It would help the city locate sewage overflows quicker, and locate and fix sewage pipes, Schaller said. It also would allow workers to quickly locate section corners and other landmarks.

“This will help us working with the Department of Natural Resources, because they require us to show that we’re continually making improvements to reduce sanitary-sewer overflow,” Schaller said. He said the information also is useful to the police and fire departments.