Adopt a Hot Spot Success Story 3
IBM/Adventis - Alexander Dr. Intersection
 Alliance members noticed that the T.W. Alexander - IBM/Adventis traffic light was periodically displaying a green signal to the IBM side, even when there were no motorists coming from that direction. After receiving notification from the RTA’s “Adopt-A-Hotspot” program, traffic engineers with the City of Durham recognized that cars turning left into IBM were inadvertently tripping the detectors for traffic exiting IBM. Durham city staff proceeded to reprogram the intersection controller, eliminating the problem.
HotSpot location:
IBM Access Road / Adventis Corp Access Road
T.W. Alexander Drive
Situation:
Signal periodically cycled to IBM Access Road exit phase even when no vehicles were present, delaying other motorists at the intersection
Alliance role:
Alliance members noticed the problem and requested the help of transportation partners
Partner agency:
City of Durham
Solution:
City of Durham traffic engineers recognized that left turning vehicles from TW Alexander inadvertently tripped the signal while turning into IBM. The City reprogrammed the signal controller to eliminate this problem
Result:
The signal no longer displays a green light at those times when the side street approach is empty
Benefits:
Unnecessary traffic delays on T.W. Alexander Drive have been eliminated; reduced stop-and-go situations should improve air quality
RTA offers thanks to:
Chris Beasley, Dale Basden and Pete Nicholas, all with the City of Durham |
“This small change allows T.W. Alexander Drive motorists to see more green time every cycle,” said traffic engineer Pete Nicholas, City of Durham.
Alliance Steering Committee member and Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce President Libby Barnes thanked the City for its rapid response, noting “reducing traffic congestion is critical to economic development efforts in Durham and throughout the region. We are pleased that the City worked with the Alliance to make this change.”
 RTA Vice Chair Rusine Mitchell-Sinclair, IBM Senior State Executive for NC and VP of Strategy and Implementation for Global IT Delivery, noted that “RTP not only represents center for technical and scientific innovation in the region, but it also embodies a sense of cooperation by linking businesses, universities and communities throughout the Triangle. It is very encouraging to see traffic engineers with the City of Durham working with the regional business community to improve a heavily traveled intersection.”
Regional Transportation Alliance members can suggest other “HotSpot” problem intersections online at www.letsgetmoving.org/hotspot.html or by calling 919.664-7062.
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