DE LA SALLE LIPA

COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING

ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

TRAFFIC LIGHT

ENGR. EDMUND NIETES

ENGR. LEIDEL M. PAGCALIWANGAN

T2A

May 2, 2014

ENGR. REENA MAGDALENE VILLAMIN

The paper contains the development of a traffic light system using three Light-

Emitting Diodes (LEDs), resistors, capacitors, and two Integrated Circuits. A normal

traffic light system would be the basis of the project that would light up green, orange

and red in this color code scheme. After testing the functionality of the circuit in a Ni

Multisim program and on a breadboard, the circuits design is finally done in a PCB

Wizard for etching purposes. Proper connections of each component are very vital in

the full function of the circuit. The Integrated Circuits (IC) should be placed wit the right

sequence of the terminal pins.

Introduction

In recent years, the dependence of people in the use of automobiles in everyday

living makes the transportation industry a major sector of every country. With the

demand of providing enhanced services to meet the increasing need in automobiles,

most countries provide better highways and invest capital on the automotive industry.

However, as automobiles clogged the highways of major cities, lack of discipline among

automobile owners, lax and un-stringent enforcement and control of traffic rules and

regulations, and the apathetic attitude of several civilians and officials alike often cause

accidents and heavy traffics. Although the government makes gratuitous improvement

and legislating regulations, rapid growth in population and automobiles result in

unnecessary traffic dilemmas.

The problem of transportation systems, practices, and legislations was better

addressed by the utility of traffic lights. Traffic lights also known as traffic signals, traffic

lamps, signal lights or stop lights are signal devices in road intersections, pedestrian
crossings, and other locations to control the flow of traffic. Advance technological

devices, sensors and computer programs control the timing and sensing capability of

traffic signals to light up a specific color following a universal color code or sequence of

color phases. The green light indicates that it is safe to proceed to a specific direction.

The orange light denotes that one must be ready to stop short of the direction while the

red light signals to stop or prohibits any traffic from proceeding.

The objective of the paper is to describe and discuss the process of making a

simple traffic light circuit on a Photosensitive Circuit Board (PCB) using capacitors,

Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs), resistors, Integrated Circuits (IC), and a power supply. A

NI Multisim program is used to create a schematic diagram for the circuit ensuring that it

will function effectively while a PCB Wizard is utilized to create the actual design or

copper layout of the circuit.

Circuit Operation

The circuit shows the traffic lighting sequence that can be found most in

highways. The red (Light-Emitting Diode) LED has an equal on-off period and when it is

off, the first Integrated Circuit (IC) 555 timer delivers power to the second Integrated

Circuit (IC) 555 timer. This illuminates the green (Light-Emitting Diode) LED and then

the second Integrated Circuit (IC) 555 timer changes state to turn off the green LED and

turn on the orange LED for a short period of time before the first IC 555 timer changes

state to turn off the second IC 555 timer and turn on the red LED. A supply voltage of 9v

to 12v is needed because the second IC 555 timer receives a supply of about 2v less

than rail. This circuit also shows how to connect LEDs high and low to a 555 and also

turn off the 555 by controlling the supply to pin 8. Connecting the LEDs high and low to
pin 3 will not work and since pin 7 is in phase with pin 3, it can be used to advantage in

this design (http://www.555-timer-circuits.com/traffic-lights.html).

Design Specifications

Certain lists of components are needed in achieving the proponents objective of

creating a traffic light project. Acetates are used to print the circuit design to be etched

in the Photosensitive Circuit Board (PCB). The traffic light consists mainly of three Light-

Emitting Diodes (LED) of colors green, orange, and red indicating signals like Go,

Ready and Stop respectively. A power supply of 9 to 12 volts is also needed for the

current to flow through electrical elements and make the LEDs light. Aside from the

power supply and LEDs, capacitance and resistance greatly contribute in the complete

flow of a circuit. Two 100F capacitors store energy. On the other hand resistors such

as 47k, 470 , 100k, and 220 limit the current and provide only the required

biasing to the vital active parts like the Integrated Circuits (IC). Integrated Circuits (IC)

555 timer is primarily used for timing the lighting and changing of LEDs. Photosensitive

Circuit Board (PCB) is a type of circuit board that will serve as the base where the

components will be etched and soldered.

Figure 1 NI Multisim Green Light

Figure 2 NI Multisim Orange Light

The ground serves as the reference point of the electrical circuit in which the

voltages are measured. An electrical circuit needs a power supply of fixed or certain

voltage for the flow of the current. The amount of voltage in a power supply varies and

the circuit must attain the right amount of voltage for its full function without burning or

ruining any components used. Capacitors are one of the most important elements of a

circuit. In this circuit, electrolytic capacitors are mostly used to store energy that can be

used whenever needed after the current flow from the power supply to the capacitor.

watt resistors are commonly used in simple electrical circuits having different resistance

value based on the needed amount. In the diagram, the resistors oppose the current to

regulate the voltage that will pass to the LEDs avoiding overheating and malfunctioning

of the components. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are the output of this electrical circuit

that will show if the circuit attains its full function. Based on figures 1, 2 and 3, the Light-

Emitting Diodes (LEDs) will beam in a color code sequence of green, orange and red.
The time of the lighting of each LED depends on the functions of the two Integrated

Circuits (IC) used.

Data and Results

The figure shows how the electrical circuit of traffic signal system from the

process of circuit designing to etching and lighting. With the use of the components in

this electrical circuit which are connected properly with one another, the lights will be

lighted from green, orange, and red. It will be repeat continuously until you decided to

stop the circuit.

List of Materials
 Materials Quantity Price per unit Total

Integrated Circuit (IC) 2 P 2.00 P 4.00

socket

Integrated Circuit (IC) 2 P 10.00 P 20.00

555 Timer

47k resistor 1 P 0.25 P 0.25

470 resistor 1 P 0.25 P 0.25

100k resistor 1 P 0.25 P 0.25

220 resistor 2 P 0.25 P 0.50

100F capacitor 2 P 2.00 P4.00

Green Light-Emitting 1 P 1.00 P 1.00

Diode (LED)

Orange Light- 1 P 1.00 P 1.00

Emitting Diode (LED)

light

Red Light-Emitting 1 P 1.00 P 1.00

Diode (LED)

9 to 12 volts power 1 P 25.00 P 25.00

source (battery)

acetate 1 P 15.00 P 15.00

Photosensitive 1 P 150.00 P150.00

Circuit Board with

developer
 Ferric chloride 1 bottle P 22.00 P 22.00

TOTAL P 244.25

Conclusion

After making the electrical circuit of a traffic light system, the students conclude

that in the resistor and capacitor configuration, the capacitors store charges for the

other Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) while one LED is illuminated.

The students also conclude that with the use of two integrated Circuits (IC), it is

possible to create a traffic light system since the ICs control the illumination of the LEDs

(whether on or off) to perform other function to the remaining LEDs in the circuit

creating a color code scheme like in a traffic light system.

Recommendation

After making the circuit of a traffic light system, the students recommend that the

Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) should be checked for their brightness. One must choose

the LED with the brightest light for each color that would be use for the entire circuit.

Each component should be checked because sometimes they are commercially bought

as old stock or have defectives that might cause failure to the circuit. Integrated Circuits

(IC) should be placed correctly in their respective number configuration. In etching, it is

best if the exposure of the circuit diagram to the Photosensitive Circuit Board (PCB)

using ultraviolet rays would be reduced to a minimum distance and be spread evenly.

One must also consider the proper solution of the developer that is 1liter of water is to

1 pack of the developer. The PCBs should totally submerge in the developer as well as
in the ferric chloride. Once the ferric chloride is saturated, it is recommended to replace

it.

Sources

Traffic Light. n.d. Retrieved on 30 April 2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_

light ).

555 Timer traffic lights. n. d. Retrieved on 30 April 2014 from http://www.555-timer-

circuits.com/traffic-lights.html.