Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Project

The City of Tyler is investing in its future through the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Master Plan, a comprehensive 10-year initiative aimed at modernizing traffic management and enhancing transportation for all users. This transformative program focuses on delivering smoother daily commutes and faster emergency response times, fundamentally reshaping how we navigate Tyler.

Leveraging modern technologies such as traffic signal coordination, real-time monitoring, and advanced communication systems, the City is committed to improving traffic flow and increasing safety for everyone. As we progress into 2025, we are currently in Year 5 of this ambitious plan.

The ITS Master Plan is shaping the future of Tyler’s transportation system. The journey began in April 2019 when the City Council authorized an engineering contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to conduct a year-long study of the City’s traffic signal system. The City of Tyler and Kimley Horn completed the Intelligent Transportation System Master Plan Study in 2020, highlighting the need for annual traffic signal re-timing. Read the summary report of completed activities and recommendations.

With these improvements, the City is enhancing traffic flow, safety, and emergency response while preparing for the growth and development of tomorrow. The work continues, and we are already seeing the benefits of a smarter, safer, and more efficient transportation network for all.

As a major component of the ITS Master Plan, the City began a multi-year signal retiming effort to reduce congestion and improve safety. The plan includes:

• 15 intersections retimed per year (Years 1–6)

• 30 intersections per year (Years 7–10)

As of Year 5, the city has retimed 85 out of 150 signalized intersections across Tyler. The work continues, and we are already seeing the benefits of a smarter, safer, and more efficient transportation network for all.

Click on the image below to explore the Traffic Dashboard. The data presented in this dashboard is not real-time. It starts in March 2024 and continues through the end of the previous month.

Year 1-4 Progress

From 2021 through 2024, the City of Tyler completed four years of intersection retiming as part of the ITS Master Plan. During this period, the City focused on optimizing traffic signal coordination along several of Tyler’s key corridors.

Other traffic projects completed include:

• Connected School Zone Flashing Beacons
  • Upgraded school zone beacons to have cellular communications with a cloud-based system for remote scheduling when the beacons will be active and to receive alerts when they are not working.
• Traffic Signal Communications
  • Upgraded 140+ intersections to cellular communication to allow for remote monitoring and construction of our signalized intersections.
• Central Management System
  • Purchased and installed a new central system for maintaining our traffic signal timing databases, receiving alerts, and allowing for remote adjustments when issues arise
  • Implemented Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures to help troubleshoot and monitor traffic signal operations
• Traffic Signal Equipment
  • Upgraded all 140+ intersections with traffic signal controllers
  • Upgraded 35+ intersection with new traffic signal detection equipment, replacing end-of-life equipment
  • Upgraded 15+ intersections with new advanced traffic signal cabinets
  • Installed 23+ battery backup units

• Emergency Vehicle Preemption
  1. Citywide deployment of emergency vehicle preemption for the Tyler Fire Department allowing them to get green lights when responding to emergency calls.
• Traffic Signal Reconstructions
  1. South Broadway Avenue and Robert E Lee Drive
  2. West Gentry Parkway and West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
  3. West Gentry Parkway and North Glenwood Boulevard
  4. East Gentry Parkway and Hillsboro Street
  5. East Gentry Parkway and East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
• New Traffic Signals
  1. South Broadway Avenue and Rose Plaza (Sprouts Shopping Center)
  2. West Grande Boulevard and Old Noonday Road
• Pedestrian Signal ADA Curb Ramp Improvements
  1. North Broadway Avenue and West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
  2. New Copeland Road and Shiloh Road
  3. New Copeland Road and Rieck Road
  4. New Copeland Road and Grande Boulevard

• 42% decrease in total delays
• 25% increase in average vehicle speed
• 36% reduction in total stops, more than 16.2 million fewer stops annually
• 22% reduction in emissions, equating to over 21,000 tons less carbon output annually

These coordinated improvements contribute to a safer, more efficient driving experience while also reducing fuel consumption and air pollution.

Navigate to the bottom of the page if you have any questions.