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Outline
1. Key Definitions 2. Baseline Assumptions3. Control Delay4. Signal Analysis
a. D/D/1b. Random Arrivalsc. LOS Calculationd. Optimization
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Key Definitions (1)
• Cycle Length (C)– The total time for a signal to complete a cycle
• Phase – The part of the signal cycle allocated to any
combination of traffic movements receiving the ROW simultaneously during one or more intervals
• Green Time (G)– The duration of the green indication of a given
movement at a signalized intersection
• Red Time (R)– The period in the signal cycle during which, for a given
phase or lane group, the signal is red
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Key Definitions (2)
• Change Interval (Y)– Yellow time– The period in the signal cycle during which, for a given
phase or lane group, the signal is yellow
• Clearance Interval (AR)– All red time– The period in the signal cycle during which all
approaches have a red indication
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Key Definitions (3)
• Start-up Lost Time (l1)– Time used by the first few vehicles in a queue while reacting
to the initiation of the green phase and accelerating. 2 seconds is typical.
• Clearance Lost Time (l2)– Time between signal phases during which an intersection is
not used by traffic. 2 seconds is typical.
• Lost Time (tL)– Time when an intersection is not effectively used by any
approach. 4 seconds is typical.– tL = l1 + l2
• Total Lost Time (L)– Total lost time per cycle during which the intersection is not
used by any movement.
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Key Definitions (4)
• Effective Green Time (g)– Time actually available for movement– g = G + Y + AR – tL
• Extension of Effective Green Time (e)– The amount of the change and clearance interval at the
end of a phase that is usable for movement of vehicles
• Effective Red Time (r)– Time during which a movement is effectively not
permitted to move. – r = R + tL
– r = C – g
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Key Definitions (5)
• Saturation Flow Rate (s)– Maximum flow that could pass through an intersection if
100% green time was allocated to that movement.– s = 3600/h
• Approach Capacity (c)– Saturation flow times the proportion of effective green– c = s × g/C
• Peak Hour Factor (PHF)– The hourly volume during the maximum-volume hour of
the day divided by the peak 15-minute flow rate within the peak hour; a measure of traffic demand fluctuation within the peak hour.
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Key Definitions (6)
• Flow Ratio– The ratio of actual flow rate (v) to saturation flow rate (s) for a lane
group at an intersection
• Lane Group– A set of lanes established at an intersection approach for separate
analysis
• Critical Lane Group– The lane group that has the highest flow ratio (v/s) for a given
signal phase
• Critical Volume-to-Capacity Ratio (Xc)– The proportion of available intersection capacity used by vehicles
in critical lane groups
– In terms of v/c and NOT v/s
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Baseline Assumptions
• D/D/1 queuing• Approach arrivals < departure capacity
– (no queue exists at the beginning/end of a cycle)
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Quantifying Control Delay
• Two approaches
– Deterministic (uniform) arrivals (Use D/D/1)
– Probabilistic (random) arrivals (Use empirical equations)
• Total delay can be expressed as
– Total delay in an hour (vehicle-hours, person-hours)
– Average delay per vehicle (seconds per vehicle)
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D/D/1 Signal Analysis (Graphical)
ArrivalRate
DepartureRate
Time
Ve
hicl
es
Maximum delay
Maximum queue
Total vehicle delay per cycle
Red Red RedGreen Green Green
Queue dissipation
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D/D/1 Signal Analysis – Numerical
• Time to queue dissipation after the start of effective green
• Proportion of the cycle with a queue
• Proportion of vehicles stopped
0.1
10
rt
c
trPq
0
qs P
c
tr
gr
trP
00
c
t
c
t
gr
trPs
000
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D/D/1 Signal Analysis – Numerical
• Maximum number of vehicles in a queue
• Total delay per cycle
• Average vehicle delay per cycle
• Maximum delay of any vehicle (assume FIFO)
0.1
rQm
12
2rDt
12
1
12
22
c
r
c
rDt
rdm
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Signal Analysis – Random Arrivals
• Webster’s Formula (1958) - empirical
d’ = avg. veh. delay assuming random arrivals
d = avg. veh. delay assuming uniform arrivals (D/D/1)
x = ratio of arrivals to departures (c/g)
g = effective green time (sec)
c = cycle length (sec)
)/(52
3/1
2
2
65.012
' cgxc
x
xdd
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Signal Analysis – Random Arrivals
• Allsop’s Formula (1972) - empirical
d’ = avg. veh delay assuming random arrivalsd = avg. veh delay assuming uniform arrivals
(D/D/1)x = ratio of arrivals to departures (c/g)
x
xdd
1210
9'
2
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Definition – Level of Service (LOS)
• Chief measure of “quality of service”– Describes operational conditions within a traffic
stream– Does not include safety– Different measures for different facilities
• Six levels of service (A through F)
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Signalized Intersection LOS
• Based on control delay per vehicle– How long you wait, on average, at the stop light
from Highway Capacity Manual 2000
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Typical Approach
• Split control delay into three parts– Part 1: Delay calculated assuming uniform arrivals (d1).
This is essentially a D/D/1 analysis.
– Part 2: Delay due to random arrivals (d2)
– Part 3: Delay due to initial queue at start of analysis time period (d3). Often assumed zero.
321 ddPFdd
d = Average signal delay per vehicle in s/veh
PF = progression adjustment factor
d1, d2, d3 = as defined above
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Uniform Delay (d1)
Cg
X
Cg
Cd
,1min1
15.0
1
d1 = delay due to uniform arrivals (s/veh)
C = cycle length (seconds)
g = effective green time for lane group (seconds)
X = v/c ratio for lane group
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Incremental Delay (d2)
cT
kIXXXTd
811900 2
2
d2 = delay due to random arrivals (s/veh)
T = duration of analysis period (hours). If the analysis is based on the peak 15-min. flow then T = 0.25 hrs.
k = delay adjustment factor that is dependent on signal controller mode. For pretimed intersections k = 0.5. For more efficient intersections k < 0.5.
I = upstream filtering/metering adjustment factor. Adjusts for the effect of an upstream signal on the randomness of the arrival pattern. I = 1.0 for completely random. I < 1.0 for reduced variance.
c = lane group capacity (veh/hr)
X = v/c ratio for lane group
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Initial Queue Delay (d3)
• Applied in cases where X > 1.0 for the analysis period– Vehicles arriving during the analysis period
will experience an additional delay because there is already an existing queue
• When no initial queue…– d3 = 0
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Control Optimization
• Conflicting Operational Objectives– minimize vehicle delay– minimize vehicle stops– minimize lost time– major vs. minor service (progression)– pedestrian service– reduce accidents/severity– reduce fuel consumption– Air pollution
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The “Art” of Signal Optimization
• Long Cycle Length– High capacity (reduced lost time)– High delay on movements that are not served– Pedestrian movements? Number of Phases?
• Short Cycle Length– Reduced capacity (increased lost time)– Reduced delay for any given movement
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Minimum Cycle Length
n
i cic
c
s
vX
XLC
1
min
Cmin = estimated minimum cycle length (seconds)
L = total lost time per cycle (seconds), 4 seconds per phase is typical
(v/s)ci = flow ratio for critical lane group, i (seconds)
Xc = critical v/c ratio for the intersection
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Optimum Cycle Length Estimation
n
i ci
opt
s
v
LC
1
1
55.1
Copt = estimated optimum cycle length (seconds) to minimize vehicle delay
L = total lost time per cycle (seconds), 4 seconds per phase is typical
(v/s)ci = flow ratio for critical lane group, i (seconds)
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Green Time Estimation
iii X
C
s
vg
g = effective green time for phase, i (seconds)
(v/s)i = flow ratio for lane group, i (seconds)
C = cycle length (seconds)
Xi = v/c ratio for lane group i
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Pedestrian Crossing Time
ft. 10for 7.22.3
E
E
ped
pp W
W
N
S
LG
ft. 10for 27.02.3 Epedp
p WNS
LG
Gp = minimum green time required for pedestrians (seconds)
L = crosswalk length (ft)
Sp = average pedestrian speed (ft/s) – often assumed 4 ft/s
WE = effective crosswalk width (ft)
3.2 = pedestrian startup time (seconds)
Nped = number of pedestrians crossing during an interval
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ExampleAn intersection operates using a simple 3-phase design as pictured.
NB
SB
EB
WB
Phase Lane group
Saturation Flows
1 SB 3400 veh/hr
2 NB 3400 veh/hr
3 EB 1400 veh/hr
WB 1400 veh/hr
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Example
SB
NB
EB
WB
30
150
50
30400
1001000
200
30020
What is the sum of the flow ratios for the critical lane groups? What is the total lost time for a signal cycle assuming 2 seconds of clearance lost time and 2 seconds of startup lost time per phase?
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ExampleCalculate an optimal signal timing (rounded up to the nearest 5 seconds) using Webster’s formula.
n
ici
opt
sv
LC
1
1
55.1
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ExampleDetermine the green times allocation using v/c equalization. Assume the extension of effective green time = 2 seconds and startup lost time = 2 seconds.
iii X
C
s
vg
LC
Csv
X
n
i ic
1
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ExampleWhat is the intersection Level of Service (LOS)? Assume in all cases that PF = 1.0, k = 0.5 (pretimed intersection), I = 1.0 (no upstream signal effects).
ii
iii
A v
vdd
kk
kkk
I v
vdd
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ExampleIs this signal adequate for pedestrians? A pedestrian count showed 5 pedestrians crossing the EB and WB lanes on each side of the intersection and 10 pedestrians crossing the NB and SB crosswalks on each side of the intersection. Lanes are 12 ft. wide. The effective crosswalk widths are all 10 ft.
ft 10for 27.02.3 Epedp
p WNS
LG
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Signal Installation: “Warrants”
• Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
• Apply these rules to determine if a signal is “warranted” at an intersection
• If warrants are met, doesn’t mean signals or control is mandatory
• 8 major warrants
• Multiple warrants usually required for recommending control
http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/
FYI – NOT TESTABLE
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Intersection Control Type
from Highway Capacity Manual 2000
FYI – NOT TESTABLE
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Primary References
• Mannering, F.L.; Kilareski, W.P. and Washburn, S.S. (2003). Principles of Highway Engineering and Traffic Analysis, Third Edition (Draft). Chapter 7
• Transportation Research Board. (2000). Highway Capacity Manual. National Research Council, Washington, D.C.