By Mackenzie Hutchins, contributing writer
Traffic congestion near Daemen University, in the town of Amherst, continues to challenge students and staff alike.
New technology and resources from the Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition (NITTEC) aim to make trips safer and more efficient, according to Operations Manager Bill Lobuzzetta.
Daemen students, faculty and staff often encounter backups on Main Street, Sheridan Drive and I-290. Daemen University student Bailey Glass can agree.
“Whether I have an 8 or 9 a.m. class, I compete with students and buses from nearby schools, as well as everyone else getting to work,” said Glass.
Lobuzzetta said NITTEC monitors traffic across Western New York and southern Ontario using more than 180 cameras, sensors and advanced traffic systems.
“NITTEC is the traffic management center in Western New York,” Lobuzzetta said. “We monitor New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) roads, Erie County roads, the Thruway and even border crossings.”
Main Street and I-290 remain the busiest areas for drivers. Amherst has installed advanced cameras on many local signals to coordinate with state systems, but challenges remain.
Roundabouts on Harlem Road generally keep cars moving more smoothly than signals, but Lobuzzetta noted that many drivers do not fully know how to navigate them. If drivers don’t know the rules, such as yielding to vehicles already in the circle, they can cause slowdown or even accidents.
Rush hour traffic adds another layer of challenge to the daily commute. Morning rush hour runs from 7:30 to 9 a.m., but Lobuzzetta said the afternoon rush is worse, beginning as early as 3:30 and stretching until 6:30 p.m.
Hybrid schedules have made traffic lighter on Mondays and Fridays, while Tuesdays through Thursdays are more congested.
Special events can increase congestion near Amherst, especially University at Buffalo football games or visits from political leaders. NITTEC works with UB police and the NYSDOT to adjust traffic patterns and signage when needed.
Summer generally brings lighter traffic, but backups return once schools reopen. Winter also adds weather related challenges that can slow traffic. Drivers can combat those challenges by checking NITTEC cameras for real-time road conditions and weather related traffic delays.
While Amherst is becoming more bike friendly, Lobuzzetta said cyclists still face frequent risks.
“We encourage bicyclists to obey traffic laws and stay in bike lanes, but distracted drivers are always a challenge,” he said.
Students and staff can use NITTEC.org to view live cameras, construction alerts and border crossing updates. The “My NITTEC” service sends custom text or email alerts for chosen routes and times.
By checking NITTEC resources ahead of time, commuters can plan their routes more effectively and avoid unnecessary delays.
Recent initiatives include realtime travel time signs, arterial management to adjust signal timing during incidents and a regional HELP truck program to assist drivers who break down on I-290.
“Everything we do here at NITTEC is about helping people make safer, more informed travel decisions,” Lobuzzetta said.