CIVL361 Transportation Eng.

Websters Method for Signalization

Dr. Mehmet M. Kunt
 Websters Method
Simple,
Used for pre-timed signalization
Dr. Mehmet M. Kunt
Dr. Mehmet M. Kunt
Model assumption vs. Real world
 Method
Websters Optimum Cycle
Formula 1.5L 5
C0 Optimum Cycle Length, sec C0 n
nL: Total lost time, sec 1 Y
Y : total critical i
i
volume/saturation flow

Dr. Mehmet M. Kunt

 Method
Yi
Effective green time per phase gi n
gt
Y
i

Actual green time per phase

Gi g i li i

Dr. Mehmet M. Kunt

 Signal Timing-Websters Method
1-Obtain DHV (Design hourly volume)
2-Obtain qi, pce for each approach
3-Obtain yi = qi/saturation
4-For each phase select higher yi value
5-Sum all of the yi values
6-Obtain C0, round it to an increment of 5
7-Obtain gt and gi values
8-Obtain Gi values
9-Obtain red intervals: Ri values
10-Plot the phase diagram similar to the following
example which is computed for a two phase signalization
Dr. Mehmet M. Kunt
1-Obtain DHV (Design hourly volume)
Example:
Hourly volume = 345 veh
PHF = 0.89
DHV = 345/0.89
DHV = 388 veh/h
2-Obtain qi, pce for each approach
Pce (passenger car equivalencies) values
For
ST movement multiply with 1.0
LT movement multiply with 1.6
RT movement multiply with 1.3
PC multiply with 1.0
CV or HV multiply with 1.5
CV: Commercial vehicle; HV: Heavy vehicle
2-Obtain qi, pce for each approach
Q = DHV*ST%/100*1.0*(1-CV%/100 + CV%/100*1.5)
Example:
DHV = 388 veh/h; ST% = 85;CV% = 6
Pce ST = 388*0.85*1.0*(1-0.06 +0.06*1.5) =
Repeat the same process for LT and RT and total pce and
obtain q for the approach*
*North approach, South approach, East approach, West
approach
Optimum Cycle Length: 1.5L 5
C0 n
1 Y
i

Effective green time: gi

Yi
gt
n

Y
i

Actual green time: Gi g i li i

 Problem 44
The following information is provided for an intersection that will have
signalization. Calculate the signal timing for a three-phase system.
Show phase diagram.
Peak Hour Volumes: N/S/ E/W:480/520/340/370 vph
PHF: N/S/E/W:0.89/0.92/0.90/0.86
Saturation Flow: N/S/E/W:2000/2000/1600/1600/vph
Distribution of Vehicles for Turning Movements:
Yellow interval 3.2 sec. for N-S, and 3.0 sec. for E-W; Lost time is 3.2 sec. for each phase.

North (SB) South(NB) East(WB) West(EB)

TM T R L T R L T R L T R L
% of TM 86 8 6 88 4 8 89 6 5 87 6 7
%CV 3 3 10 4 4 14 2 8 0 4 5 7
 Solution to Problem 44(1/3)
Problem: Find the signal time and plot phase diagram for a
two-phase signalization.
DATA
App Vol T* L R TCV+ LCV RCV
==========================================================
SB 480 86 6 8 3 10 3
NB 520 88 8 4 4 14 4
WB 340 89 5 6 2 0 8
EB 370 87 7 6 4 7 5
*Turning movements (T,L and R) are % of the volume
+TCV, LCV and RCV are % of T, L and R, respectively

Lost time per phase = 3.2

Yellow time for Phase 1= 3.0 for Phase 2= 3.4
 Design Hourly Volumes
SB :
ST-pce = 539 * 86 /100.*1.0*(1- 3 /100. + 3 /100.*1.5) = 470.78
LT-pce = 539 * 6 /100.*1.6*(1- 10 /100. + 10 /100.*1.5) = 54.36
RT-pce = 539 * 8 /100.*1.3*(1- 3 /100. + 3 /100.*1.5) = 56.93
qi =( 470.78 + 54.36 + 56.93 ) = 582 vph
yi = 0.291
 Design Hourly Volumes
NB :
ST-pce = 565 * 88 /100.*1.0*(1- 4 /100. + 4 /100.*1.5) = 507.34
LT-pce = 565 * 8 /100.*1.6*(1- 14 /100. + 14 /100.*1.5) = 77.41
RT-pce = 565 * 4 /100.*1.3*(1- 4 /100. + 4 /100.*1.5) = 29.98
qi =( 507.34 + 77.41 + 29.98 ) = 615 vph
yi = 0.307
 Design Hourly Volumes
WB :
ST-pce = 377 * 89 /100.*1.0*(1- 2 /100. + 2 /100.*1.5) = 339.58
LT-pce = 377 * 5 /100.*1.6*(1- 0 /100. + 0 /100.*1.5) = 30.22
RT-pce = 377 * 6 /100.*1.3*(1- 8 /100. + 8 /100.*1.5) = 30.65
qi =( 339.58 + 30.22 + 30.65 ) = 400 vph
yi = 0.25
 Design Hourly Volumes
EB :
ST-pce = 430 * 87 /100.*1.0*(1- 4 /100. + 4 /100.*1.5) = 381.79
LT-pce = 430 * 7 /100.*1.6*(1- 7 /100. + 7 /100.*1.5) = 49.87
RT-pce = 430 * 6 /100.*1.3*(1- 5 /100. + 5 /100.*1.5) = 34.4
qi =( 381.79 + 49.87 + 34.4 ) = 466 vph
yi = 0.291
 Summary Table
App Vol PHF DHV qi Sat yi
====================================================
SB 480 0.89 539 582 2000.0 0.291
NB 520 0.92 565 615 2000.0 0.3075
WB 340 0.9 377 400 1600.0 0.25
EB 370 0.86 430 466 1600.0 0.29125

ytot = phase 1(NB,SB) max. yi 0.3075 + phase 2(EB,WB)

max. yi 0.29125 = 0.599
 Optimum Cycle Length
Computing optimum cycle length, Co
C0 =(1.5* 6.4 +5)/(1- 0.59875 ) = 36.39 seconds
C0 = 36 sec

Total green time= 36.39 - 6.4 = 29.99

Effective green times
Phase 1: g1= 29.99 * 0.3075 / 0.59875 = 15.4 sec.
Phase 2: g2= 29.99 * 0.29125 / 0.59875 = 14.59 sec.

Actual Green Times

Phase 1: G1= 15.4 + 3.2 - 3.0 = 15.6 sec.
Phase 2: G2= 14.59 + 3.2 - 3.4 = 14.39 sec.
 Solution to Problem 44(2/3)
Signal Timing Data
===================
Effective Actual
Phase Green Green Yellow Red
A 15.4 15.6 3.0 17.79
B 14.59 14.39 3.4 18.6
Phase Diagram