The major benefit of the ATSAC System is the ability to effectively manage dynamic traffic flow. Evaluation studies of the ATSAC System show that travel times, traffic signal delay, vehicular stops, air emissions and fuel use are significantly reduced.

Another benefit derived from the installation and operation of the ATSAC System is the ability to dynamically add new traffic control features through software as they become necessary without building new systems or replacing large quantities of hardware. An example of this is the ability to provide special control schemes for the management of transit vehicles on major commuter corridors within the City. Enhanced operation of surface street operation of the Metro Blue Line (light rail transit) is made possible through modification to the ATSAC software both at central control and at the local intersections. Through options allowed by the modified software, system operators can provide appropriate control for both light rail trains and on-street vehicles. Additional features also available through software additions to the system will allow for bus priority operation along major bus commuter routes. ATSAC also provides the capability to continually measure traffic volumes and congestion levels for analysis of trends and other transportation planning purposes.

The Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS) is the latest enhancement to ATSAC and uses a personal computer-based traffic signal control software program which provides fully traffic adaptive signal control based on real-time traffic conditions. The ATCS will automatically adjust traffic signal timing in response to current traffic demands by allowing ATCS to simultaneously control all three critical components of traffic signal timing, namely cycle length, phase split and offset.

In 1992, the City's ATSAC system received the distinguished award "Innovations in State and Local Governments" from the Ford Foundation. In 1993, the City was one of only 16 cities to receive federal transportation funds to demonstrate the feasibility of promising new high technology and conversion of defense technology. The federally funded Spread Spectrum operational test, in partnership with Hughes Aircraft, shows promising results in reducing project cost and construction time for computerized signal systems. In 1994, the Department received the ITE Transportation Achievement Award for our work in quickly restoring mobility in the wake of the Northridge Earthquake. The presence of ATSAC along the Santa Monica Freeway Corridor was cited as a key component in maintaining circulation despite the loss of the nation's busiest freeway. In 1995, the Santa Monica Freeway Smart Corridor Demonstration Project was selected to receive the "Best in Category" award (Transportation Technology category) under the U.S. Department of Energy's 1995 National Awards Program for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.