Traffic Signal Systems

Traffic Signal Systems
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 107
Release: 2015
Genre: Electronic traffic controls
ISBN: 9780309369244

This issue explores 10 papers related to traffic signal systems, including: MESCOP: A Mesoscopic Traffic Simulation Model to Evaluate and Optimize Signal Control Plans Strategy for Multiobjective Transit Signal Priority with Prediction of Bus Dwell Time at Stops Empirical Evaluation of Transit Signal Priority: Fusion of Heterogeneous Transit and Traffic Signal Data and Novel Performance Measures Fine-Tuning Time-of-Day Transitions for Arterial Traffic Signals Use of Maximum Vehicle Delay to Characterize Signalized Intersection Performance Traffic Signal Battery Backup Systems: Use of Event-Based Traffic Controller Logs in Performance-Based Investment Programming Study of Truck Driver Behavior for Design of Traffic Signal Yellow and Clearance Timings Online Implementation and Evaluation of Weather-Responsive Coordinated Signal Timing Operations Resonant Cycles Under Various Intersection Spacing, Speeds, and Traffic Signal Operational Treatments Implementation of Real-Time Offset-Tuning Algorithm for Integrated Corridor Management

Operation, Analysis, and Design of Signalized Intersections

Operation, Analysis, and Design of Signalized Intersections
Author: Michael Kyte
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2014-07-04
Genre: Roads
ISBN: 9781500204365

Before they begin their university studies, most students have experience with traffic signals, as drivers, pedestrians and bicycle riders. One of the tasks of the introductory course in transportation engineering is to portray the traffic signal control system in a way that connects with these experiences. The challenge is to reveal the system in a simple enough way to allow the student "in the door," but to include enough complexity so that this process of learning about signalized intersections is both challenging and rewarding. We have approached the process of developing this module with the following guidelines: * Focusing on the automobile user and pretimed signal operation allows the student to learn about fundamental principles of a signalized intersection, while laying the foundation for future courses that address other users (pedestrians, bicycle riders, public transit operators) and more advanced traffic control schemes such as actuated control, coordinated signal systems, and adaptive control. * Queuing models are presented as a way of learning about the fundamentals of traffic flow at a signalized intersection. A graphical approach is taken so that students can see how flow profile diagrams, cumulative vehicle diagrams, and queue accumulation polygons are powerful representations of the operation and performance of a signalized intersection. * Only those equations that students can apply with some degree of understanding are presented. For example, the uniform delay equation is developed and used as a means of representing intersection performance. However, the second and third terms of the Highway Capacity Manual delay equation are not included, as students will have no basis for understanding the foundation of these terms. * Learning objectives are clearly stated at the beginning of each section so that the student knows what is to come. At the end of each section, the learning objectives are reiterated along with a set of concepts that students should understand once they complete the work in the section. * Over 70 figures are included in the module. We believe that graphically illustrating basic concepts is an important way for students to learn, particularly for queuing model concepts and the development of the change and clearance timing intervals. * Over 50 computational problems and two field exercises are provided to give students the chance to test their understanding of the material. The sequence in which concepts are presented in this module, and the way in which more complex ideas build on the more fundamental ones, was based on our study of student learning in the introductory course. The development of each concept leads to an element in the culminating activity: the design and evaluation of a signal timing plan in section 9. For example, to complete step 1 of the design process, the student must learn about the sequencing and control of movements, presented in section 3 of this module. But to determine split times, step 6 of the design process, four concepts must be learned including flow (section 2), sequencing and control of movements (section 3), sufficiency of capacity (section 6), and cycle length and splits (section 8). Depending on the pace desired by the instructor, this material can be covered in 9 to 12 class periods.

A Two Stage Interval-valued Neutrosophic Soft Set Traffic Signal Control Model for Four Way Isolated signalized Intersections

A Two Stage Interval-valued Neutrosophic Soft Set Traffic Signal Control Model for Four Way Isolated signalized Intersections
Author: Endalkachew Teshome Ayele
Publisher: Infinite Study
Total Pages: 32
Release: 2020-12-01
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN:

One of the major problems of both developed and developing countries is traffic congestion in urban road transportation systems. Some of the adverse consequences of traffic congestion are loss of productive time, delay in transportation,increase in transportation cost,excess fuel consumption, safety of people,increase in air pollution level and disruption of day-to-day activities. Researches have shown that among others, traditional traffic control system is one of the main reasons for traffic congestion at traffic junctions. Most countries through out the world use pre-timed / fixed cycle time traffic control systems. But these traffic control systems do not give an optimal signal time setting as they do not take into account the time dependent heavy traffic conditions at the junctions. They merely use a predetermined sequence or order for both signal phase change and time setting. Some times this also leads to more congestion at the junctions. As an improvement of fixed time traffic control method, fuzzy logic traffic control model was developed which takes into account the current traffic conditions at the junctions and works based on fuzzy logic principle under imprecise and uncertain conditions. But as a real life situation,in addition to uncertainty and impreciseness there is also indeterminacy in traffic signal control constraints which fuzzy logic can not handle. The aim of this research is to develop a new traffic signal control model that can solve the limitations of fixed time signal control and fuzzy logic signal control using a flexible approach based on interval-valued neutrosophic soft set and its decision making technique, specially developed for this purpose.We have developed an algorithm for controlling both phase change and green time extension / termination as warranted by the traffic conditions prevailing at any time.

Performance Measures for Traffic Signal Systems

Performance Measures for Traffic Signal Systems
Author: Christopher M. Day
Publisher: Joint Transportation Research Program
Total Pages: 134
Release: 2014-03-26
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 9781622602803

This monograph is a synthesis of research carried out on traffic signal performance measures based on high-resolution controller event data, assembled into a methodology for performance evaluation of traffic signal systems. High-resolution data consist of a log of discrete events such as changes in detector and signal phase states. A discussion is provided on the collection and management of the signal event data and on the necessary infrastructure to collect these data. A portfolio of performance measures is then presented, focusing on several different topics under the umbrella of traffic signal systems operation. System maintenance and asset management is one focus. Another focus is signal operations, considered from the perspectives of vehicle capacity allocation and vehicle progression. Performance measures are also presented for nonvehicle modes, including pedestrians, and modes that require signal preemption and priority features. Finally, the use of travel time data is demonstrated for evaluating system operations and assessing the impact of signal retiming activities.

A Simulation-based Approach to Evaluate Safety Impacts of Increased Traffic Signal Density

A Simulation-based Approach to Evaluate Safety Impacts of Increased Traffic Signal Density
Author: Kenneth P. Drummond
Publisher:
Total Pages: 36
Release: 2002
Genre: Roads
ISBN:

One of the most controversial access management techniques practitioners face is also one of the most common: restricting signal density. Increased signal density can improve access for minor approaches to a corridor; however, it can also increase delays and rear-end crashes for vehicles on the mainline (major) approach. An ability to evaluate the impacts of increased signal spacing is thus critical for decision makers. Because crash data are not always easy to obtain, a logical question arises: Can simulation models be used to evaluate the safety impacts of increased traffic signal density? This report describes a method for using simulation models to evaluate the safety impacts of increased traffic signal density in suburban corridors. Using 10 years of data from two major arterials in Virginia, actual crash rates were compared with operational performance measures simulated by the Synchro/SimTraffic model. As expected, crash rates were positively correlated with stops per vehicle and delay per vehicle and negatively correlated with mainline speed. Three findings were significant. First, the correlation between crash rates and select mainline performance measures (delay, speed, and stops) was relatively strong despite the inherent variability in crash rates: R2, a measure of explained variance in crash rates, yielded values from 0.54 to 0.89. Second, three distinct regimes relate stops per vehicle to signal density: the installation of the first few signals causes a drastic increase in stops, the addition of the next set of signals causes a moderate increase in stops, and the addition of a third set of signals does not significantly affect the number of stops per vehicle. Third, multiple regime models also relate delay per vehicle to signal density. This study recommends two practical applications. To the extent these mainline performance measures correlate with crashes, simulation modeling may be used to estimate safety impacts of increased signals, which is appealing because simulation packages are becoming easier to apply. Further, three regime models can suggest when, in the timeline of corridor development, the addition of a traffic signal is likely to degrade corridor performance significantly versus when it will have little effect, thereby allowing decision makers to expend political capital when it is most beneficial (e.g., the occasions when there is significant degradation of corridor performance). Most important, the approach herein suggests a long-range corridor-planning tool for evaluating the impacts of different access densities.

An Evaluation of Traffic Simulation Models for Supporting ITS Development

An Evaluation of Traffic Simulation Models for Supporting ITS Development
Author: Sharon Adams Boxill
Publisher:
Total Pages: 120
Release: 2000
Genre: Intelligent transportation systems
ISBN:

Tools to evaluate networks under information supply are a vital necessity in light of the systems being implemented as part of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) deployment plan. One such tool is the traffic simulation model. This report presents an evaluation of the existing traffic simulation models to identify the models that can be potentially applied in ITS equipped networks. The traffic simulation models are categorized according to type (macroscopic, microscopic or mesoscopic), as well as functionality (highway, signal, integrated). The entire evaluation is conducted through two steps: initial screening and in-depth evaluation. The initial step generates a shorter but more specific list of traffic simulation models based on some pre-determined criteria. The in-depth evaluation identifies which model on the shorter list is suitable for a specific area of ITS applications. It is concluded from this research that presently CORSIM and INTEGRATION appear to have the highest probability of success in real-world applications. It is also found that by adding more calibration and validation in the U.S., the AIMSUN 2 and PARAMICS models will be brought to the forefront in the near term for use with ITS applications.

Development of a Traffic Signal Performance Measurement System (TSPMS)

Development of a Traffic Signal Performance Measurement System (TSPMS)
Author: Kevin N. Balke
Publisher:
Total Pages: 88
Release: 2005
Genre: Traffic signs and signals
ISBN:

The purpose of this research was to examine the type of performance measures that could be collected at an intersection and develop a system for automatically collecting these performance measures in the field.. We began the research by conducting an assessment ofthe needs of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) practitioners for an automated system to collect intersection and traffic signal performance measures. We then examined capabilities of some of the existing traffic signal controllers and detection systems to produce the desired performance measures. Based on the findings of the needs assessments and an evaluation of the limitation of the existing detection system, we developed a series of innovative performance measures that practitioners could use to assess traffic operations and the effectiveness of the signal timing at intersections. We then developed a prototype system for automatically collecting these data in the field. We installed the prototype system in two different locations that exhibited different operating characteristics and assessed the ability of the system to collect meaningful and appropriate performance measures.