Mercer SCOOT
Updated: August 23, 2019
What’s happening now?
We're working to make travel along Mercer St more reliable by making our signal system smarter. The project is part of our Intelligent Transportation Systems Program. We've been testing it for the last month and results are positive. In the eastbound direction, during the 3-hour evening peak period, people driving are moving an average of 2.7 minutes faster and experiencing a 38% increase in travel time reliability.
Description
We've installed a new system along Mercer St between 3rd Ave W and I-5 that coordinates traffic signals to help keep people driving moving. The system, called "SCOOT" (Split Cycle Offset Optimization Technique), is the first in Seattle. In total, 32 signalized intersections use SCOOT.
Map
Benefits
SCOOT provides significant benefits:
- Quicker, more reliable travel times through the network
- Enhanced transit operations
- Reduced overall emissions and fuel consumption
- Effective management of traffic fluctuations due to special events
How it Works
SCOOT works in real-time to reduce delays and adapt to changing traffic volumes, such as congestion caused by nearby sport or concert events. The system detects cars in each lane at every intersection. It determines traffic levels, predicts the flow of traffic, and adjusts the amount of time available to each movement through the intersection. The result is more effective and responsive signal operations.
SCOOT in action in SDOT's Transportation Operations Center.
To assess the how well SCOOT is working, vehicle data is being collected daily and compared to historical averages. Reporting periods include morning and evening peak travel times (3 hours) in both the eastbound and westbound directions during the 5-day work week. These periods are when traffic volumes are at their highest. From the data received to date, the following changes have occurred.
Information graphic from June, 2019
2019
2018
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
2017
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- July 10 - 14, 2017
- July 3 - 7, 2017
- June 26 - 30, 2017
- June 19 - 23, 2017
- June 12 - 16, 2017
- June 5 - 9, 2017
- May 29 - June 2, 2017
- May 22 - 26, 2017
- May 15 - 19, 2017
- May 8 - 12, 2017
- May 1 - 5, 2017
- April 24 - 28, 2017
- April 17 - 21, 2017
History
The Mercer Corridor stretches from Interstate 5 to 5th Ave. W, and has been one of the City of Seattle's most significant transportation challenges for over 40 years. SDOT is committed to improving the Mercer Street Corridor.