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The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) operates thousands of traffic signals, both in rural areas and small cities. TxDOT's operation of these signals has served the state well over the years. However, regional differences in signal timing and detection design practice have evolved. These differences create operational inconsistencies and, possibly, sub-optimal performance. Good signal timing practices developed in some areas are not well documented or otherwise communicated to other areas. A comprehensive signal timing resource guide is needed to promote uniform, effective signal operation on a statewide basis. This document summarizes the research conducted and the conclusions reached during the development of a Traffic Signal Operations Handbook. The handbook provides guidelines for timing traffic control signals at intersections that operate in isolation or as part of a coordinated signal system. The research conducted included a review of the literature, a survey of TxDOT engineers, an evaluation of alternative signal controller settings and detection designs. A spreadsheet was developed to accompany the Handbook. This spreadsheet automates several tasks involved in the development of a signal timing plan and is intended to facilitate implementation of the Handbook guidance.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) operates thousands of traffic signals along state highways in the state of Texas. The operation of these signals is the responsibility of the TxDOT districts in which they are located. This local operation serves Texas motorists well, but it has also resulted in differences in practice across the state. TxDOT research project 0-5629 developed the Traffic Signal Operations Handbook to (1) provide a uniform basis for signal operation throughout the state and (2) identify cost-effective procedures for maintaining safe and efficient signal operation. This report documents the development and conduct of a two-year series of workshops to share information with TxDOT engineers and technicians regarding the cost-effective design and operation of signalized intersections. Information in the Handbook was used as the basis for the workshop. The workshop was one day in length and was offered at six venues in Texas. Workshop topics include basic signal controller timing, coordination timing, signal phasing, rail preemption, detection design, and diamond interchange timing. The workshop participants applied the Handbook guidelines in several examples using a spreadsheet program called the Texas Signal Coordination Optimizer (TSCO).
The handbook, in its treatment of signs, pavement markings and signals, presents typical values or ranges of values used for implementing traffic control measures, as well as providing examples of contract plan sheets, specifications and work orders. With respect to signs, consideration is given to materials, equipment, installation, maintenance, vandalism, etc. The section on pavement markings includes materials, methods of application and application operations. Traffic signal design, operation, equipment, and maintenance are discussed, as are various types of signal systems.
This report serves as a comprehensive guide to traffic signal timing and documents the tasks completed in association with its development. The focus of this document is on traffic signal control principles, practices, and procedures. It describes the relationship between traffic signal timing and transportation policy and addresses maintenance and operations of traffic signals. It represents a synthesis of traffic signal timing concepts and their application and focuses on the use of detection, related timing parameters, and resulting effects to users at the intersection. It discusses advanced topics briefly to raise awareness related to their use and application. The purpose of the Signal Timing Manual is to provide direction and guidance to managers, supervisors, and practitioners based on sound practice to proactively and comprehensively improve signal timing. The outcome of properly training staff and proactively operating and maintaining traffic signals is signal timing that reduces congestion and fuel consumption ultimately improving our quality of life and the air we breathe. This manual provides an easy-to-use concise, practical and modular guide on signal timing. The elements of signal timing from policy and funding considerations to timing plan development, assessment, and maintenance are covered in the manual. The manual is the culmination of research into practices across North America and serves as a reference for a range of practitioners, from those involved in the day to day management, operation and maintenance of traffic signals to those that plan, design, operate and maintain these systems.
This handbook provides guidelines for timing traffic control signals at intersections that operate in isolation or as part of a coordinated signal system. The guidelines are intended to describe best practices, as identified through interviews with engineers and technicians, and to identify conditions where alternative practices are equally workable. The handbook is intended to make resource investment in signal timing maintenance costeffective and signal operation more consistent on an area-wide basis. It is likely to be most useful to engineers that desire quick-response methods for maintaining or improving the operation of existing signalized intersections. The second edition of the handbook includes new material focused on pedestrian safety at signalized intersections. One element of the new material is presented as guidelines for determining whether protected left-turn operation is appropriate based on consideration of pedestrian-vehicle crashes and vehicle delay. A second element is presented as guidelines for determining whether an exclusive pedestrian phase is needed. A third element is presented as a new appendix that describes alternative pedestrian treatments that can improve pedestrian safety at signalized intersections.
This handbook provides guidelines for timing traffic control signals at intersections that operate in isolation or as part of a coordinated signal system. The guidelines are intended to describe best practices, as identified through interviews with engineers and technicians, and to identify conditions where alternative practices are equally workable. The handbook is intended to make resource investment in signal timing maintenance costeffective and signal operation more consistent on an area-wide basis. It is likely to be most useful to engineers that desire quick-response methods for maintaining or improving the operation of existing signalized intersections. The second edition of the handbook includes new material focused on pedestrian safety at signalized intersections. One element of the new material is presented as guidelines for determining whether protected left-turn operation is appropriate based on consideration of pedestrian-vehicle crashes and vehicle delay. A second element is presented as guidelines for determining whether an exclusive pedestrian phase is needed. A third element is presented as a new appendix that describes alternative pedestrian treatments that can improve pedestrian safety at signalized intersections.
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.