Enhance Regional Mobility February 2020 | Page 7

Updates (continued) Smart Cities Connect Recognizes Arlington for Innovative Cooper Street Traffic Signal Technology Arlington’s Public Works and Transportation Department continues to pave the way in the use of smart city technology to improve traffic flow in the City. The Traffic Engineering Division’s work to address traffic concerns along the Cooper Street corridor has recently been recognized as one of the 2020 Smart 50 Awards winners. In partnership with Smart Cities Connect, Smart Cities Connect Foundation, and US Ignite, this award recognizes influential and innovative work in the areas of urban operations, urban infrastructure, smart mobility, digital transformation, and community engagement. This Smart Mobility Corridor project is currently implementing smart technologies along Cooper Street to improve traffic mobility and safety with several connected vehicle applications. This innovative technology will help traffic flow more quickly after a railroad delay, give priority to emergency vehicles, provide better communication with traffic signals, and increase safety in school zones. Drivers with connected vehicle technology will receive safety messages through their vehicles, while drivers without this technology can use a “TravelSafely” cell phone application. The results for citizens include improved travel time, reduced emergency vehicle response time, reduced delay at traffic signals, and reduced traffic accidents. Matlock Road Improvements Begin Between Interstate 20 and Sublett Road In January 2020, work began to replace failed concrete panels on Matlock Road between Interstate 20 and Sublett Road. Drivers should expect various lane closures over the next four months as large concrete panels are removed and replaced. To help reduce the traffic impact that roadway construction will inevitably have on the surrounding area, the project is divided into two phases: Phase I (Sublett Road to Bardin Road) Work will begin on the northbound lanes at Sublett and continue to Bardin Road. Work on the southbound lanes will begin after completion of the northbound lanes. Phase II (Bardin Road to Interstate 20) Work will begin in the northbound lanes at Bardin Road and work toward Interstate 20. Work on the southbound lanes will begin after completion of the northbound lanes. 7