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Traffic Signals

Traffic signals are used at intersections to control traffic flow and prevent accidents. They automatically direct traffic to stop and proceed using red and green lights on a predetermined cycle. This provides orderly traffic movement, improves safety by allowing pedestrians to cross safely, and is more economical than manual control. However, traffic signals can also increase rear-end collisions if not properly designed and can cause delays. The duration of phases is designed to maintain a desired level of service based on vehicle delay and queue length.

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SUMINA ZAKEER 20100
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181 views

Traffic Signals

Traffic signals are used at intersections to control traffic flow and prevent accidents. They automatically direct traffic to stop and proceed using red and green lights on a predetermined cycle. This provides orderly traffic movement, improves safety by allowing pedestrians to cross safely, and is more economical than manual control. However, traffic signals can also increase rear-end collisions if not properly designed and can cause delays. The duration of phases is designed to maintain a desired level of service based on vehicle delay and queue length.

Uploaded by

SUMINA ZAKEER 20100
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Traffic signals

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Traffic signals
At intersections with large number of crossing
and right-turn traffic - possibility of several
accidents.
Earlier practice to control the traffic has been with
the help of traffic police
In bigger cities, a large number of police
personnel are required.
 Therefore traffic signals are made use of to
perform this function of traffic control at road
intersections.

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Traffic signals are automatic traffic control
devices which could alternately direct the traffic to
stop and proceed at intersections using red and
green traffic light signals as per the pre-
determined time settings.

 The main requirements of traffic signal are to:


(i)Draw attention of the road users
(ii) Enable them to understand the meaning of the
light signal
(iii)Provide sufficient time to respond and
(iv)Ensure minimum waste of time.

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ADVANTAGES OF TRAFFIC
SIGNALS
 Orderly movement of traffic.

 The quality of traffic flow is improved.

 Reduction in accidents.

 Pedestrians are able cross the roads safely.

 Automatic traffic signal are more economical than

manual control.
 Proper co-ordinate signal system -reasonable speed

along the major road traffic.


 Provide minor road traffic to cross the continuous traffic
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flow of the main road at reasonable intervals of time.
DISADVANTAGES OF TRAFFIC
SIGNALS
The rear-end collisions may increase.

Improper design and location of signals - lead to

violations of the control system.


Failure of the signal - cause confusion to the road users.

The variation in vehicle arrivals and unused green signal

time - cause increase in waiting.


Excessive delay of vehicle -particularly during off-peak

hours.
Drivers may use less adequate and less safe routes to
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avoid delays at signals.
DEFINITION OF TERMS USED IN
TRAFFIC SIGNAL DESIGN
• The period of time • The part of the signal
cycle time that is
• The dur
required for one
complete sequence
allocated to stop the of ‘st
traffic or to allow traffic
of signal indications movement phas
SIGNAL CYCLE SIGNAL PHASE RED PHASE

• Any of the division of


• The duration the signal cycle during
which signal indications
of ‘go’ phase do not change

GREEN PHASE. INTERVAL


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The engineer has to design the signal with the
sequence and duration of individual phases to
serve all approaching traffic at a desired ‘level of
service’.

The level of service is measured by


the vehicle delay,
 the queue length or the number of vehicle backed up
and
the probability of a vehicle entering the intersection
during the first green phase after arrival.

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The capacity of a signalized intersection depends on
physical factors of the roads such as,
 roadway width,
 number of lanes,
 geometric design features of intersection and also
 the green and red phases of the traffic signal.

 The capacity is also affected by operational and control


factors such as,
 number of turning movement,
 number and size of commercial vehicles,
 pedestrian traffic signal characteristics and
 abutting land use.

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TYPES OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS

The signals are classified into the following types:

 Traffic control signals


 Pedestrian signal
 Special traffic signal

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 THE TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL
 Three coloured lights which glow facing each
direction of traffic flow namely, red, amber and
green.
 Red light -‘stop',
 Green light - ‘go’
 The amber or yellow light allows the ‘clearance time’.
 Additional signals showing green may also be
provided, where necessary.

PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS
 Installed at the intersections controlled by traffic
signals to enable the pedestrians to safely cross
the specified roads;
 They and their timings are interlinked to operate
along with the traffic control signal.
 Locations with high demand for pedestrian
crossing, separate pedestrian signals may be
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installed along with warning and informatory
signs.
 SPECIAL TRAFFIC SIGNALS
 Special traffic signals such as ‘flashing
beacons’ may be installed at certain
locations in order to warn the traffic of
certain situations.

 At flashing red signals, the drivers


of vehicles shall stop before entering
the nearest cross walk at an
intersection or at a stop line.

 Flashing yellow signals are


cautionary signals meant to signify
that drivers may proceed with
caution.

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TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS

 Different types of traffic signals are in use in India namely


i. Manually operated signals
ii. Fixed time automatic signals and
iii. Automatic traffic-actuated signal
iv. Semi-vehicle-actuated traffic signal

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(i) MANUALLY OPERATED SIGNALS
 It is operated from a salient point at or near the intersection by
a traffic police constable;
 The signal phases may be varied depending on the traffic
demand at that point of time.

(ii) FIXED TIME AUTOMATIC SIGNALS


 Green periods and cycle length is predetermined and of fixed
interval based on the traffic studies
 Repeats the same set of signal phases and the signal cycle
time - set in the signal controller.
 Function satisfactorily at locations with no significant
variation in traffic flow on different approach roads.

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(iii) VEHICLE-ACTUATED SIGNALS.
 The green periods vary and are related to the actual
demands made by traffic.
 Timings of the phase and cycle are changed
according to traffic demand.
 This is made possible by installing detectors on all the
traffic.
(iv) SEMI-VEHICLE-ACTUATED TRAFFIC SIGNAL
 The normal green phase of a traffic stream may be
extended upto a certain period of time for allowing the
vehicles to clear off the intersection.
 The right of way normally rests with main road.
 Detectors are located only on the side roads.

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