Comparison of alternative signal timing policies

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1998 · Journal of Transportation Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-947X(1998)124:6(510)· OSTI ID:316103

Leonard, II, J D ^[1]; Rodegerdts, L A ^[2]

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1. Georgia Inst. of Tech., Atlanta, GA (United States). School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
2. Kittelson and Associates, Inc., Portland, OR (United States)

A signal timing policy describes operational goals applied when developing a time plan for a system of coordinated intersections. This research investigates differences in signal timing plans resulting from implementation of five basic signal timing policies (including minimizing delay, minimizing stops, minimizing fuel consumption, maximizing coordination bandwidth, and a baseline policy). Further, this research investigates differences arising from application of different techniques to achieve the same policy goal (e.g., different techniques to maximize coordination bandwidth). Volume and other traffic signal data from four traffic signal systems are collected. Various computer tools including PASSER II-90 and TRANSYT-7F are used to develop signal timing plans that emphasize each policy. For the maximum bandwidth policies, several techniques for achieving the policy goal are applied. In all cases, the resulting signal timing plans are transferred to TRANSYT-7F for comparative simulation of detailed systemwide and route-specific measures of effectiveness. Review of these measures of effectiveness provides insights into the relative success of each timing policy, and the impacts of each policy on route-specific and overall system performance. Based on these insights, general guidelines for application of signal timing tools are proposed.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 316103
• Journal Information: Journal of Transportation Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Transportation Engineering Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 124; ISSN JTPEDI; ISSN 0733-947X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
FUEL CONSUMPTION
P CODES
T CODES
TRAFFIC CONTROL