Scribd
Upload
44 views

CVLE 463: Transportation Planning & Traffic Engineering: Fall 2021/2022

This document discusses traffic signals and their use and design. It begins by explaining why traffic signals are needed at intersections to increase safety and throughput by reducing conflicts between crossing traffic streams. It then covers the advantages and disadvantages of traffic signals. Different types of signal controls are described, including fixed-time and traffic-actuated signals. Key terms are defined, such as cycle length, phase, saturation flow. Factors that influence saturation flow and effective green times are outlined. Examples of signal phasing and calculations are provided.

Uploaded by

Amira Hachem
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
44 views

CVLE 463: Transportation Planning & Traffic Engineering: Fall 2021/2022

This document discusses traffic signals and their use and design. It begins by explaining why traffic signals are needed at intersections to increase safety and throughput by reducing conflicts between crossing traffic streams. It then covers the advantages and disadvantages of traffic signals. Different types of signal controls are described, including fixed-time and traffic-actuated signals. Key terms are defined, such as cycle length, phase, saturation flow. Factors that influence saturation flow and effective green times are outlined. Examples of signal phasing and calculations are provided.

Uploaded by

Amira Hachem
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 24

Fall 2021/2022 Lecture 4

CVLE 463: Transportation Planning & Traffic Engineering


Traffic Signals
Why Traffic Signals?
❑Conflicting traffic movements, make roadway intersections
unsafe for vehicles and pedestrians

❑Intersections are a major source of crashes and vehicle delay


(as vehicles yield to avoid conflicts with other vehicles).
Traffic Signals – Why?
❑Increase throughput
❑Reduce delay
❑Improve safety
❑Provide progression through network
Traffic Signals – Advantages
Traffic Signals – Disadvantages
Interchanges?
Types of Traffic Signals

Fixed Time Traffic Actuated


Uses historical data Responds to traffic
Less efficient More efficient

Non-coordinated Coordinated
❖ Far away from other signals ❖ Close to other signals
❖ Operates independently ❖ Operates with other signals
Isolated traffic signal intersections
(fixed time signals)

Pedestrian Crossing Left-Turn Signal


10/2/2021
10/2/2021
RED: Mandatory Stop
RED/YELLOW: Still stop, prepare to go
GREEN: Go, if safe to do so
YELLOW: Stop, unless not safe to do so

Cycle Length
Definitions

Cycle Length (seconds)

The cycle (cycle length)


is the time in seconds required for one complete color sequence. The figure is a
schematic of a cycle. In the figure, for example, the cycle length is the time that elapses
from the start of the green indication to the end of the red indication.

A phase (signal phase)


is that part of a cycle allocated to a stream of traffic, or a combination of two or more
streams of traffic, having the right of way simultaneously during one or more intervals.
Phasing

In the control of traffic at intersections the conflicts between streams of vehicles are
prevented by a separation in time. The procedure by which the streams are separated is
known as phasing. A phase has been defined as the sequence of conditions applied to one or
more streams of traffic, which during the cycle receive simultaneous identical signal
indications.

EXAMPLE

Two-phase
Signal System
PHASING EXAMPLES

10/2/2021
Saturation flow
One of the most important factors in the signal setting calculation is the saturation
flow of an approach. The saturation flow of an approach (in pcu/h) is the maximum
flow that can pass through an intersection without impedance by the signal. Different
factors affect the saturation flow of an approach:
✓ The traffic composition, and
✓ Road alignment (approach width, gradient in %, radius for right- and left-turning).

Discharge of Vehicles at Various


Times during a Green Phase
Saturation Flow and Effective Signals

Effective Green Effective Red


Factors Affecting Saturation flow
Examples
Traffic Signal Calculations
Traffic Light Sequence

Cycle Length (Co)

3-5” 1-2”
Traffic Light Sequence
Example 3 Phases Program

Cycle Length (Co)

Phase 1
Intergreen

Phase 2
Intergreen

Phase 3
Intergreen
Co = Σ tg + Σ Intergreen

You might also like