Traffic Signal Technology Approved Along Jackson

Cookeville Public Works will upgrade traffic signal technology at eight intersections along the Jackson Street corridor in an effort to improve traffic flow.

Director Mary Beth Elrod said the $42,000 in equipment is part of the city’s ongoing work to use technology to produce real-time adjustments to signalization. It includes upgrading to fiber and installing remote access.

“This will help us get more data from the new cameras we were looking at for the next fiscal year,” Elrod said. “We do have one camera in place that we are using, and we apparently cannot get all of the data that that camera collects because we need to update the controller. So we will update that controller and see all of the extra data the camera we have in place will provide.”

The project was budgeted for the fiscal year. It is part of the community’s plans to implement technology first, in an effort to cut down on traffic delays. Real-time calculations are now available, using networks of cameras and sensors, beyond just the old traffic loop installed in the pavement.

“I think we can get it in before the end of June,” Elrod said. “And so we will hopefully, hopefully it’s just a switch out of like a computer system. So one day. And start getting extra data from this camera.”

City Council approved the purchase of the equipment Thursday night.