Georgia transportation leaders are celebrating the successful management of a 24% increase in traffic volume during the World Cup, which resulted in a 3% increase in travel times.
More than 1 million fans flooded Atlanta for the tournament’s eight matches at Mercedes Benz Stadium, according to Fox 5. State transportation officials shattered their original goal of keeping travel delays under 50% above normal traffic levels.
Using advanced laser technology, the city counted more than 37,000 pedestrians crossing Northside Drive during each match while also managing traffic around 19 official FanFest locations.
Fox 5 reported that traffic crews adjusted signal timing throughout the event to ensure 150 team and referee escorts could move through the city without stopping.
Inside Georgia's World Cup traffic strategy
On the highway network, crews responded to more than 13,000 interstate incidents during the monthlong tournament. Georgia’s HERO (Highway Emergency Response Operators) completed 6,000 assists with clearing lanes.
According to WSB-TV, HERO, which serves metro Atlanta, and CHAMP (Coordinated Highway Assistance and Maintenance Program), which operates throughout the rest of the state, respond to stranded motorists, roadway debris and other traffic incidents. Both programs added operators throughout the tournament at the 511 dispatch center.
The Georgia Department of Transportation also operated a dedicated “FIFA War Room” inside its Transportation Management Center in southeast Atlanta, according to WSB-TV.
The operations center allowed engineers and law enforcement to monitor traffic conditions in real time and adjust traffic signals as conditions changed to keep vehicles moving.
Officials said planning for the transportation operation began two years before the tournament and required coordination among Georgia DOT, local law enforcement, homeland security officials and city leaders.
Sources: Fox 5, WSB-TV
