New Traffic Signal Operating System
on Ford Road

For Immediate Release 05/30/06

MDOT officials have advised the Canton Police Department that the traffic signals on Ford Road from Canton Center to Lotz Road are now operating as a signal system. The system, installed in late May, allows the signals to communicate with each other in a coordinated effort to move traffic as efficiently as possible along Ford Road. Communication between signals is done via radio antennas that are attached to poles at each intersection.

Ford Road traffic is congested particularly during peak periods of the day. Traffic signal timing is a balancing act between all the moves at each intersection but also along a corridor. The additional traffic generated by IKEA will make it difficult to completely eliminate a backup of traffic. In an effort to keep traffic moving during the grand opening of IKEA, the traffic signals will be running an 80 second cycle versus the current 90 to 100 seconds. This will cause the signals to cycle faster and while it will not clear traffic every cycle, it should minimize the build up of traffic on all approaches.

MDOT has stressed to the Canton Police to let the traffic signals move as much traffic as possible during the grand opening period of IKEA, to minimize officers’ exposure to the hazardous task of manually directing traffic. For this reason, motorists will see teams of officers stationed at the five traffic signals on Ford Road from Lilley to the northbound I-275 exit ramp. The officers will be at the lights to monitor traffic and observe the capability of the traffic signal system. As long as the system is operating with minimal backups, the officers will not interfere with the operation of the signal system. Periods of heavy congestion may require officers to stand in the intersections to manually direct traffic. MDOT has also authorized the use of officer-controlled push buttons to operate 4 of the five the traffic signals (excluding Lilley), but have stressed that these should be used only as a last resort, as this function will override the new signal communication system and throw off the system’s ability to efficiently move traffic between Canton Center and Lotz roads until it can work itself back into sync.

The Canton Police Department reminds motorists to expect delays and congestion, and exercise patience and caution when traveling on Ford Road and other intersecting roads near IKEA. Motorists should also be observant for officers who may be in the intersections directing traffic.