Hsinchu City Launches Smart Traffic Overhaul for Science Park Commuters

Hsinchu City is rolling out a comprehensive smart traffic improvement plan to manage increasing congestion and enhance road safety. The initiative focuses on the Minghu Road corridor, a vital artery for commuters to the Hsinchu Science Park, which has seen a surge in population and vehicles.

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Minghu Road is one of the important commuting main roads to and from the Hsinchu Science Park, with large traffic flow during peak hours. To improve the overall commuting quality, the traffic signal timing along Minghu Road and the surrounding road network will be reorganized.

Mayor Kao Hung-an highlighted the plan's dual approach: reorganizing traffic signals and implementing intelligent warning systems. Traffic signals along Minghu Road and 34 surrounding intersections will be retimed to improve flow. Additionally, three underpasses will feature smart collision warning systems, utilizing CCTV to detect approaching vehicles and pedestrians, alerting drivers to reduce speed and prevent accidents.

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After the Minghu Road signal timing reorganization, problems such as poor signal interlocking, traffic weaving, insufficient lane configuration, and insufficient pedestrian space at intersections along the route were improved. The overall travel time is estimated to be reduced by 16.9% in the southbound direction and 11.3% in the northbound direction.

Early results from the signal retiming project indicate significant improvements. Travel times are projected to decrease by 16.9% southbound and 11.3% northbound. This not only boosts efficiency but also contributes to energy conservation by reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The system also incorporates dynamic signal control strategies, using real-time data from eTags and CCTV to adjust signal timings based on actual traffic conditions, offering greater flexibility in traffic management.

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In addition to the Minghu Road signal timing reorganization, this plan also introduces smart anti-collision warning systems in three underpasses, including Guangfu Road Section 2, Lane 2, Daxue Road Section 1, Lane 51, and Yangde Road.

The smart collision warning systems in underpasses are designed to mitigate risks associated with limited visibility and intersecting traffic. Tests at the Yangde Road and Qianjia Road intersection showed a nearly 39% reduction in sudden braking and evasive maneuvers after the system's implementation, demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing driver awareness and road safety.

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After the system was introduced, emergency braking behavior decreased by 38.9% and evasive behavior decreased by 38.7%, indicating that the system can give advance warning of approaching vehicles, allowing drivers to react earlier and improve road safety.