ACS-Lite

A significant portion of traffic delays on arterial routes are the result of outdated or poor traffic signal timing. ACS Lite is a low cost solution to provide traffic signal timing that is appropriate for real time traffic conditions. ACS Lite is not for everyone; it was designed specifically for the closed loop arterial traffic signal system; which is representative of 90% of the traffic signal systems in the United States.

Benefits

Low Cost
Compatible with existing closed loop systems
Provides real-time signal timing solutions
Locks in the performance gains of signal retiming
Easily configured and calibrated
Developed through a public private partnership
Proven to be effective and available right now

Development, Testing & Results

ACS Lite is a scaled down version of the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Adaptive Control Software (ACS); developed by FHWA in partnership with Siemens, University of Arizona and Purdue University. The software is licensed by Siemens and has been integrated by four traffic signal controller manufactures to operate with their systems. Field test sites have been completed to validate the operability of ACS Lite with each of the manufactures control systems. The traffic controller manufactures currently licensed to integrate the software: Eagle, Econolite, McCain and Peek. Each of the field test produced positive results relative to the effectiveness of the existing traffic signal timing.
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How It Works

The ACS Lite software resides on a field hardened CPU that is physically located with the field master controller. The ACS Lite interacts with intersection controller in the closed loop to determine traffic flow and signal timing parameters and may provide updates to the signal timing on a cycle by cycle basis. ACS Lite recognizes and records trends and shifts in traffic demand to keep the signal timing up to date; reducing the need for signal retiming.
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Obtaining ACS Lite

If you are interested in deploying an ACS Lite system it is available through the following vendors: Eagle, Econolite, McCain and Peek. The Federal Highway Administration Resource Center may also be contacted to obtain training and technical information about the product. An agency operating a Peek system for example should contact the Peek vendor, while one using Eagle should contact the Eagle vendor.
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Frequently Asked Questions

A list of Frequently Asked Questions including questions and answers on a number of topics related to the ACS-Lite.

Search Operations: Arterial Management Home FOCUS AREAS Traffic Signal Management Traffic Signal Operations & Maintenance Signal Timing Access Management PRACTITIONER TOOLBOX Awareness/Outreach Publications Training & Workshops ACS-Lite Traffic Analysis Tools RESOURCES Arterial Management Team FHWA Resource Center Operations Team Links Contact Us	ACS-Lite Arterial Management Home A significant portion of traffic delays on arterial routes are the result of outdated or poor traffic signal timing. ACS Lite is a low cost solution to provide traffic signal timing that is appropriate for real time traffic conditions. ACS Lite is not for everyone; it was designed specifically for the closed loop arterial traffic signal system; which is representative of 90% of the traffic signal systems in the United States. Benefits Low Cost Compatible with existing closed loop systems Provides real-time signal timing solutions Locks in the performance gains of signal retiming Easily configured and calibrated Developed through a public private partnership Proven to be effective and available right now Development, Testing & Results ACS Lite is a scaled down version of the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Adaptive Control Software (ACS); developed by FHWA in partnership with Siemens, University of Arizona and Purdue University. The software is licensed by Siemens and has been integrated by four traffic signal controller manufactures to operate with their systems. Field test sites have been completed to validate the operability of ACS Lite with each of the manufactures control systems. The traffic controller manufactures currently licensed to integrate the software: Eagle, Econolite, McCain and Peek. Each of the field test produced positive results relative to the effectiveness of the existing traffic signal timing. More How It Works The ACS Lite software resides on a field hardened CPU that is physically located with the field master controller. The ACS Lite interacts with intersection controller in the closed loop to determine traffic flow and signal timing parameters and may provide updates to the signal timing on a cycle by cycle basis. ACS Lite recognizes and records trends and shifts in traffic demand to keep the signal timing up to date; reducing the need for signal retiming. More Obtaining ACS Lite If you are interested in deploying an ACS Lite system it is available through the following vendors: Eagle, Econolite, McCain and Peek. The Federal Highway Administration Resource Center may also be contacted to obtain training and technical information about the product. An agency operating a Peek system for example should contact the Peek vendor, while one using Eagle should contact the Eagle vendor. More Frequently Asked Questions A list of Frequently Asked Questions including questions and answers on a number of topics related to the ACS-Lite.
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