In September 1999, the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) Board of Directors approved the development of the San Bernardino Valley Coordinated Traffic Signal System Plan.  The objective of the plan was to develop a strategic plan for interconnecting traffic signals in the San Bernardino County valley region that will enable traffic signal coordination across jurisdictional boundaries to reduce vehicle stops, delays, travel time and emissions.

The San Bernardino Valley Coordinated Traffic Signal System Plan provides an inventory of existing signals, identifies potential corridors on regional arterials for signal synchronization, evaluates various signal interconnect alternatives and signal systems, and provides design recommendations to achieve inter-jurisdictional traffic signal coordination.  There are more than 1,200 existing and proposed near-term signals in the study area.  Slightly more than 1,000 have been selected for coordination; of these, approximately 800 are part of the Congestion Management Program (CMP) Network of Arterials.

SANBAG has completed implementation of Tier 1 & 2, consisting of 545 signals, of the four tiers identified in the plan, focusing on alleviating arterial congestion along the I-10 and SR-60 corridors.  SANBAG has acquired the funding necessary to begin implementation of Tier 3 & 4, consisting of approximately 500 signals and focusing on alleviating congestion along major arterials in the valley region.  This project involves extensive interface with local agencies, SANBAG, and Caltrans in support of data collection and coordination for development of a coordinated work.

In July 2009, SANBAG commissioned ADVANTEC Consulting Engineers to be the Consultant for Tier 3 and 4’. This project will be conducted in two phases. Phase 1 is for design of communications infrastructure between the local intersections and the server in the jurisdictions’ offices. Wireless communications is conceived for this purpose, and the design is scheduled to be completed by May 2010, after which construction shall take place from August 2010 till May 2011. Phase 2 is for ‘Traffic Signal Synchronization (TSS)’. During this phase, all 500 intersections in about 30 corridors will be synchronized to reduce stops and delays. It is anticipated that Phase 2 shall be completed by early 2012.

Upon Completion of this project, travelers in western San Bernardino County will enjoy less delays and stops and lower travel times along the key arterials. Besides, there will be an associated reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GhG) emissions as well as other pollutant emissions.