TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL

Traffic control signal is primarily used for control of vehicular and

pedestrian movements, especially at intersections.
It is a device that directs traffic to stop and permits traffic to
proceed.

Red: Vehicles must stop

Amber: Vehicles must slow down and prepare to stop
Green: Vehicles can proceed

To maintain orderly and smooth flow of vehicles

To reduce vehicle conflicts
OBJECTIVES To reduce delays
OF TRAFFIC
CONTROL To reduce accidents
SIGNALS To reduce limited space entirely
To allow pedestrians to cross safely
To reduce use of traffic police
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TRAFFIC SIGNAL TIMING: DESIGN PRINCIPLES

(1) DETERMINATION OF SATURATION FLOW, S

Saturation flow (S) is the maximum flow that can cross the stop
line of an approach where there is a continuous green indication
and a continuous queue of vehicles on the approach.
S is expressed in passenger car unit per hour (pcu/hr).
Where there is no on-street parking,
i) where effective approach width, W ≥ 5.5 m
S = 525 x W
ii) where effective approach width, W < 5.5 m, S can be obtained
from the following table:

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S has to be corrected for effects of gradient, turning radius and
the proportion of turning vehicles.

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Adjusted S = S x fg x ft x fl x fr

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(2) DETERMINATION OF Y

The Y value is a measure of occupancy of the intersection.

For the whole junction, Y = ∑yi

where yi = is the highest y value from the approaches within phase I

y = q / S
where q = actual flow on a traffic-signal approach in pcu/hr
S = saturation flow for the approach in pcu/hr

Preferably Y ≤ 0.85

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If Y > 0.85, it is suggested that the geometric design and the
layout of the intersection or the number of lanes be improved.

Conversion of veh/hr to pcu/hr is made using the table below:

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(3) DETERMINATION OF TOTAL LOST TIME PER CYCLE, L

L = ∑ (I – a) + ∑ l
where I = Intergreen time = R + a
where R = all-red interval, a = amber time
a = amber time (usually 3 or 4 sec)

l = driver reaction time, or lost time, at the beginning of

green per phase
(usually set at 2 sec, but 0 – 7 sec can also be used)

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(4) DETERMINATION OF OPTIMUM CYCLE TIME, Co

Optimum cycle time is the minimum average delay for the

intersection, but the delay is not greatly increased if the cycle time
varies within the range of 0.75 to 1.50 of the calculated Co.

Co = 1.5L + 5
1 – Y

For practical purposes, 45 s ≤ Co ≤ 120 s, although an absolute

minimum of 25 s can be used.

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(5) DETERMINATION OF SIGNAL SETTINGS

Effective green time (g) is the green time plus the change interval
minus the lost time for a designated phase.

Total effective green time = Optimum cycle time – Total lost time
g1 + g2 + g3 + … + gn = Co – L

Effective green time is given by the following formula:

gn = yn x (Co – L)
Y
where gn = effective green time for the n-th phase
yn = calculated y-value for the same n-th phase

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Actual green time, G = g + l + R

Controller setting time, K = G – a – R

K = g – l - a

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