Table of contents<\/h2>- The challenge<\/a><\/li>
- Why traffic light synchronization mattered<\/a><\/li>
- Building the PTV Vissim model<\/a><\/li>
- Testing traffic light synchronization, pedestrianization, and access<\/a><\/li>
- What the model revealed<\/a><\/li>
- Lessons for planners<\/a><\/li>
- Get a Vissim free demo<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Fixed-time signal control combined with traffic light synchronization can help cities redesign complex street spaces with greater confidence, but only if it is tested in the wider context of pedestrian demand, access needs, and network operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Piazza Cordusio was one of Milan’s most complex mobility nodes. Cars, trams, bikes, and pedestrians shared the same space, creating conflicts and inefficient movement patterns. We used PTV Vissim to understand how these interactions affected mobility and public-space quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The square functioned more as an intersection than as a public space. Using PTV Vissim, we tested how pedestrianization, revised signal timing, and constrained vehicle access would affect tram operations, traffic circulation, and public-space quality before implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A key objective was to synchronize traffic lights and tram movements so that trams could cross the square without stopping in its center. By coordinating signal timings and removing stop lines within the square, we evaluated how pedestrian continuity, tram operations, and overall network performance could be improved together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This article explains what we modelled, which outputs mattered most, and what lessons other planners can apply to similar tram-heavy urban streets<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Traffic](\"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/MIL9_compressed.jpg\")
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Fixed-time signal control combined with traffic light synchronization can help cities redesign complex street spaces with greater confidence, but only if it is tested in the wider context of pedestrian demand, access needs, and network operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Piazza Cordusio was one of Milan’s most complex mobility nodes. Cars, trams, bikes, and pedestrians shared the same space, creating conflicts and inefficient movement patterns. We used PTV Vissim to understand how these interactions affected mobility and public-space quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The square functioned more as an intersection than as a public space. Using PTV Vissim, we tested how pedestrianization, revised signal timing, and constrained vehicle access would affect tram operations, traffic circulation, and public-space quality before implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A key objective was to synchronize traffic lights and tram movements so that trams could cross the square without stopping in its center. By coordinating signal timings and removing stop lines within the square, we evaluated how pedestrian continuity, tram operations, and overall network performance could be improved together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This article explains what we modelled, which outputs mattered most, and what lessons other planners can apply to similar tram-heavy urban streets<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n