Abstract
A common rule of thumb for signalization in a city is one traffic signal for every 1,000 residents. When a city is depopulating, does this ratio apply when determining how many signals can be removed? The City of Detroit has lost 61% of its population since its peak. If signals were installed to serve the peak population, applying this rule of thumb, 61% of the signal inventory should be able to be removed. An operational analysis was performed on a random sample of the signal inventory of the City. Based on this sample, it was determined that 30% of the signal inventory could be removed and replaced with either two-way or all-way stop control, while still maintaining adequate levels-of-service for all approaches, resulting in a savings of US$460,000 to US$3,700,000 annually in operating costs. Other cities with declining populations should conduct similar analyses to reveal the extent of potential savings.
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