In-service Evaluation of a Detection-control System for High-speed Signalized Intersections


Book Description

Traffic engineers are often faced with operational and safety challenges at rural, high-speed signalized intersections. Vehicle-actuated control, combined with multiple advance detectors, is often used to improve operations and safety. However, this type of detection and control has not always resulted in a significant number of crashes. Crashes sometimes continue to occur at high-speed intersections, and delays to traffic movements can be unnecessarily long. An innovative detection-control system was developed for the Texas Department of Transportation to minimize both delay and crash frequency at rural intersections. This system was subsequently implemented at several intersections in Texas and its safety and operational benefits were evaluated. This report documents the findings and conclusions reached as a result of a three-year implementation project. The Detection-Control System was installed at each of eight intersections in Texas during the three-year period. Five of the intersections were suitable for a before-after study of safety and operational data. An evaluation of the before-after data indicated that the Detection-Control System was able to reduce delay by 14 percent, stop frequency by 9 percent, red-light violations by 58 percent, heavy-vehicle red-light violations by 80 percent, and severe crash frequency by 39 percent.










Placement of Detection Loops on High Speed Approaches to Traffic Signals


Book Description

This report contains the results of the NC Department of Transportation research project Placement of Detection Loops on High Speed Approaches to Traffic Signals (HWY 2007-13). The goal of this project was to determine the best places to locate detectors on the approaches to high-speed signalized intersections and the best signal control strategy to employ in conjunction with those sensor placement ideas to minimize dilemma zone occurrences.







Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences


Book Description

Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences was first conceived, published, and disseminated by the Center for Information and Numerical Data Analysis and Synthesis (CINDAS)* at Purdue University in 1957, starting its coverage of theses with the academic year 1955. Beginning with Volume 13, the printing and dis semination phases of the activity were transferred to University Microfilms/Xerox of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the thought that such an arrangement would be more beneficial to the academic and general scientific and technical community. After five years of this joint undertaking we had concluded that it was in the interest of all concerned if the printing and distribution of the volumes were handled by an international publishing house to assure improved service and broader dissemination. Hence, starting with Volume 18, Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences has been disseminated on a worldwide basis by Plenum Publishing Corporation of New York, and in the same year the coverage was broadened to include Canadian universities. All back issues can also be ordered from Plenum. We have reported in Volume 38 (thesis year 1993) a total of 13,787 thesis titles from 22 Canadian and 164 United States universities. We are sure that this broader base for these titles reported will greatly enhance the value of this impor tant annual reference work. While Volume 38 reports theses submitted in 1993, on occasion, certain uni versities do report theses submitted in previous years but not reported at the time.













Traffic Signal Timing Manual


Book Description

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.