The Traffic Division of the City of Knoxville's Engineering Department recently completed a project to improve traffic signal operation on the North Broadway corridor from downtown to Fountain City. 

As part of the project, traffic volume, route, and travel time data were collected for the entire corridor. These data were used to modify programming of the signal controllers from Jackson Avenue to the I-640 Westbound Exit. 

The project provides reduced traffic delay and will be most noticeable to drivers during "rush hour" periods: early morning, lunchtime, and late afternoon. Special timing plans were also designed for the weekends. The City has upgraded all traffic signal controllers affected by this project to provide more reliable equipment with added features. 

"This is one of our busiest corridors, and it has unique challenges from a signal-timing standpoint," said Jeff Branham, the City's Chief Traffic Engineer. "We can't promise that nobody will ever hit a red light, but the new timing should reduce commuting time and frustration." 

Traffic technicians will be closely monitoring travel conditions along Broadway for the next eight weeks. Adjustments to the system will be made as needed to ensure traffic moves along this section of Broadway with minimal delay. 

This project was supported by RPM consultants and funded by a federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) grant.