CE 784 Special Topics in Transportation Engineering

Dr. Bashar Al-Omari

1 C- Capacity Analysis of Signalized Intersections

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 SIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS

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 Terminology

Cycle C = time for one complete sequence.

C = 60 – 120 sec (default)

Phase part of cycle given to streams of traffic

having simultaneous right of way.

Change Interval Yi = (yellow + all red) times used

to clear the intersection after green.

Yellow interval 3-5 sec. (If > 5 sec is needed, use AR).

Green Time Gi = time within a given phase during

which the green indication is shown.
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 Lost Time, Li = time during which the intersection is not
effectively used (start up delay + clearance lost time).

Effective Green Time, gi = Time during which a given phase is

effectively available for moving vehicles. (gi = Gi + Yi – Li).

Green Ratio = ratio of effective green time to cycle length =

gi/C

Permitted Left Turn Phasing = phasing that allows the left

turn movement to move at the same time with the opposite
through movement (USA).

Protected Left Turn Phasing = phasing that does not allow

the left turn movement to move at the same time with the
4 opposite through movement (SA).
 Lane Group = one or more lanes that accommodate traffic,
and have a common stop line & capacity shared by all vehicles.

Saturation Flow Rate, Si = the max flow rate that can be

accommodated by a lane group, assuming that the lane group
has green time during the full hour.

Lane Group Capacity, ci

ci = Si (gi / C)

Volume to Capacity Ratio, Xi

Xi = vi / ci = Vi C / (si gi)

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 Operational Analysis

Methodology

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 Inputs

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 Arrival
Types

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 Upstream Filtering or Metering Adjustment Factor, I

It accounts for the effects of filtered arrivals from upstream

signals. An I-value of 1.0 is used for an isolated intersection (i.e.,
one that is 1.6 km or more from the nearest upstream signalized
intersection).

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 Minimum
Pedestrian
Green
Time

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Typical
Lane
Groups

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 % HV = % of cars that have more than 4 wheels.

Volume Adjustment

PHF = (peak hour volume)/(4*peak 15 min. volume)

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 Saturation Flow Rate

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 Remaining Steps:

Capacity,

Delay,

LOS determination.

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 Planning Analysis:

Approximate procedure to check if the

intersection reaches capacity or not and to find
the cycle length, best phasing and timing for
signals with known geometry and traffic
conditions

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 Discussion of Results
1. If Xc (critical v/c ratio) > 1.0, the signal & geometry can not
accommodate traffic. Then increase cycle length, change
phasing plan, &/or change the geometry.

2. If Xc is acceptable for the intersection but vary widely over the

different lane groups, re-allocate the green times.

3. If delay is acceptable for the intersection, but vary widely over

the lane groups, consider re-timing and re-phasing.

4. If Xc is relatively low, but the delays are relatively high, the

reason may be a too long cycle length or an inefficient
phasing.

5. If both Xc and Delay are unacceptable, consider major

16 geometric and signal improvements.