SECTION 29

MISCELLANEOUS TRAFFIC SIGNAL EQUIPMENT

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 CONTENTS
Page no

29. MISCELLANEOUS TRAFFIC SIGNAL EQUIPMENT 3

29.1. Scope 3
29.2. Traffic Signal Heads 3
29.3. Traffic Signal Supports 6
29.4. Other Traffic Signal Equipment 6
29.5. Cabling 6
29.6. Administrative Arrangements 7

TABLES

Table 29.1: Chromaticity coordinates for traffic signal heads

Table 29.2: Intensity levels for low-intensity heads
Table 29.3: Intensity levels for high-intensity heads
Table 29.4: Head brightness levels by day
Table 29.5: Minimum radius of bends in conduit

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29. MISCELLANEOUS TRAFFIC SIGNAL EQUIPMENT

29.1. Scope

This Section covers all aspects of traffic signal equipment except controllers. Controllers are
covered separately in Section 28.

29.2. Traffic Signal Heads

29.2.1 Head mechanical characteristics

Signal heads shall have a lens diameter of no less than 205 mm and no more than 350 mm,
measured in a flat plane directly on the lens or bezel, immediately in front of the lens itself.

Signal heads, including visors and louvres, shall be matt black on all exterior surfaces except
optical system lenses. They shall have no sharp edges or corners that can lead to injury to
personnel during installation and maintenance. Signal heads shall weigh no more than 7.5 kg
per head (e.g. 22.5 kg for a three-head assembly), including visors and backing boards.

All metal components shall be rust-proofed to an extent commensurate with the environment
in which the signal head is installed.

Overhead signals and signals mounted against confusing backgrounds (granular or multi-
coloured surfaces or bright lights) shall have backing boards with rounded ends with a
diameter of at least twice the diameter of the signal head itself. The backing board shall be
mounted in a plane parallel to the plane of the lenses and no more than 50 mm behind the
plane of the lenses. The backing boards shall be made from a material that does not show
appreciable deterioration due to weather exposure and shall be coloured matt black. Multiple
heads mounted in a vertically-stacked configuration shall have a single backing board
covering at least the areas prescribed above for each of the heads. The backing board shall be
mounted in a way that facilitates the removal and replacement of the backing board without
interrupting the operation of the traffic light or requiring disassembly of any signal heads or
their components.

Masks used to provide symbols (arrows, pedestrian symbols etc.) shall be matt black and
shall conform to the curvature of the lens to a tolerance of no more than 6 mm at any point
along the lens. Paint used to mask symbols on lenses shall be matt black and thermally stable
at the equilibrium design temperature for continuous operation at an ambient temperature of
40°C. Painted masks shall also resist flaking when scratched. When two parallel cuts are
made 2 mm apart anywhere through the mask, no flaking shall be evident between or around
the cuts.

Each vehicular traffic light shall have a visor with a length of at least 160 mm, measured at
right angles from the face of the traffic signal at the highest point of the visor. Visors shall be
used on pedestrian lights as detailed in the Special Specification. A visor may be asymmetric
if required to facilitate shielding from one direction and visibility from another, such as at
roads intersecting at acute angles.

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 Signal heads shall contain incandescent, fluorescent or LED lighting elements as specified in
the Special Specification. Where LEDs are used, the supplier shall provide a statement
indicating that the LEDs are not driven at a current higher than their continuous rated current
when the head is supplied with its rated supply current.

In LED signal heads, clear (uncoloured) lenses shall be used to minimise the risk of phantom
effect from reflected ambient light.

Reflectors shall be designed to minimise the risk of overheating in the filaments. In any case,
the reflector shall not reflect energy from the filament back directly towards the filament.
Any traffic signal head shall show no signs of deformation or discoloration after continuous
operation for 24 hours at maximum rated voltage and at an ambient temperature of 50°C.

Traffic signal heads shall comply with IP65. Any moisture or dust ingress shall not adversely
affect the functioning of the head.

Traffic signal heads shall be clearly marked with indelible markings, with the following
information: Manufacturer, model number, batch code to identify manufacturing date,
intensity class (high or normal), rated voltage, replacement lamp type and rated input voltage
and current.

29.2.2 Head functional characteristics

Light shall not be allowed to pass from one head to another during normal operation. In cases
where ambient lighting conditions present a substantial risk of phantom effect (apparent
illumination of an unpowered head due to reflection of solar light) additional louvres parallel
to the optical axis may be used. Such louvres shall be matt black. Louvres are not
recommended on heads containing symbols.

Traffic signal heads shall comply with the chromaticity coordinates (CIE colour model 1931)
given in Table 29.1 for all voltage conditions within the normal operating range of the heads:

Table 29.1: Chromaticity coordinates for traffic signal heads

Colour x x tolerance y y tolerance

Red 0.70 0.03 0.31 0.02
Amber 0.58 0.02 0.40 0.01
Green 0.10 0.05 0.50 0.10

The optical axis of a signal head shall be within 2.5° in azimuth and in the range of 0° to 2.5°
down in elevation from the nominal geometric axis.

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 Low-intensity heads shall comply with the following minimum intensity levels (Table 29.2).

Table 29.2: Intensity levels for low-intensity heads

Elevation Minimum luminous intensity

below beam axis as a function of azimuth displacement from beam axis
0° to 5° 10° 20° 30°
0° 200 cd 25 cd 15 cd
5° 100 cd 100 cd
10° 25 cd
20° 15 cd 15 cd

High-intensity heads shall comply with the following minimum intensity levels (Table 29.3).

Table 29.3: Intensity levels for high-intensity heads

Elevation Minimum luminous intensity

below beam axis as a function of azimuth displacement from beam axis
0° 4° 10° 15°
0° 600 cd 400 cd 100 cd 50 cd
2° 400 cd 400 cd
5° 100 cd 100 cd
10° 50 cd 50 cd

Heads shall comply with the following minimum and maximum brightness levels by day
(Table 29.4).

Table 29.4: Head brightness levels by day

Time period Category Luminous intensity

Minimum Maximum
Day Low-intensity Per tables above 600 cd
High-intensity Per tables above 1800 cd
Night Low-intensity 200 cd (recommended)
High-intensity 600 cd (recommended)

The amber head shall not reflect more than 20 cd of amber light in a direction of 2° down
when the unpowered light is illuminated from 10° above by a light source with the spectral
characteristics of Standard Illuminant A (CIE 15.2) at 1 000 lx, all incident and reflective
light being in the vertical plane passing through the axis of symmetry of the head. All hoods
and louvres shall be installed for the test and the sensor shall be protected against uncoloured
light reflections from the lens (using a small surface shield on the lens as required).

29.2.3 Head mounting

Spacing between adjacent signal heads shall be no more than 160% of the lens diameter of
those heads, when measured between the centres of the heads.

Traffic signal head mounting assemblies shall be adjustable in azimuth to at least 60° on
either side of the nominal direction.

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29.2.4 Lamps

Incandescent or fluorescent lamps used in traffic lights shall be of a type freely available in
the trade and from at least two manufacturers. The lamps shall be mounted in a way that
ensures that the lamp is focussed correctly when fully screwed or clipped into the holder.

The type of lamp and its electrical ratings shall be clearly displayed on each head in a
position that is clearly visible during lamp replacement.

29.3. Traffic Signal Supports

Traffic signals shall be mounted on a pole with a diameter of at least 100 mm. The pole shall
be painted yellow. Rust-proofing shall be specified in the Special Specification.

Traffic signal supports shall be planted directly into soil, and no concrete foundations shall be
used unless specified in the Special Specifications or instructed by the Engineer. If concrete
foundations are used and the support is situated within 3 m horizontally of the roadway
surface, a frangible coupling within 150 mm of ground level shall be used to ensure that the
support will fracture when a horizontal force of 1.5 kN is applied to the support at a height of
1.0 m above average ground level within 1.0 m of the support base.

If specified in the Special Specification, retro-reflective strips shall be between 100 and
200 mm wide and shall be applied in horizontal bands, spaced at intervals equal to the width
of the bands themselves. Strips shall only be installed between 1.2 and 2.1 m above mean
ground level, measured within 1.0 m of the base of the support.

Span wire assemblies to support signal heads on cables between two or more supports or any
bridge or gantry for such purposes shall comply with the requirements of AASHTO LTS 4.

29.4. Other Traffic Signal Equipment

Pedestrian pushbuttons shall comply with IP66. They shall be mounted at a height of between
1.0 and 1.3 m as specified in the Special Specification, and shall be clearly labelled as to their
function. A graphic symbol shall be used.

29.5. Cabling

Buried cabling between the traffic signal controller and the signal head shall be armoured and
sleeved to withstand burial or shall be mounted in a conduit.

Buried conduit or conduit cast into concrete shall have a cross-sectional interior surface area
of at least five times the total cross-sectional area of all cables inside it. All conduits shall be
of a type approved for burial or casting into concrete, as the case may be. Metal conduits
shall be protected on the inside by a plastic coating (PVC or similar) of at least 1.0 mm. All
joints in conduit shall be made with couplings approved for the purpose by the manufacturer.
Joints that coincide with expansion joints in structures shall be capable of travel to
accommodate design deflections in the expansion joints.

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 A conduit shall not contain bends totalling more than 360° without the introduction of a pull
box. Bends in the conduit shall have a minimum radius in accordance with Table 29.5.

Table 29.5: Minimum radius of bends in conduit

Conduit inner diameter Minimum inner radius of turns

< 13 mm 8 x inner diameter
13 to 38 mm 6 x inner diameter
> 38 mm 5 x inner diameter

Cabling between a traffic controller and the signal head shall not result in a voltage drop of
more than 10% of operating voltage in the case of LED signal heads and 4% in the case of
incandescent or fluorescent types.

All cabling and wiring shall be labelled in each signal head, pull box or junction box. The
supplier shall provide evidence that labels shall remain readable over the design system
lifetime under the envisaged operating conditions of the system.

Where wiring enters or passes through equipment, including supports, signal heads and
cabinets, no sharp edges or corners shall be exposed to the wiring in such a way that damage
to the insulation or conductors may result.

All exposed metal components of the system shall be permanently grounded to an earth point
with an earth resistance of no greater than 25 . Resistance between any exposed metal
conductors and the earth connection shall not exceed 100 m . These requirements shall be
met both in operational condition and in an opened state, as required for servicing. Earth
connections shall not be made through mounting bolts or other structural components.

29.6. Administrative Arrangements

The Contractor shall ensure that all warranties on components and subsystems, including
traffic controllers, shall be transferred to the road owner on completion of the installation.
This clause shall not be interpreted as implying that any of the Contractor’s obligations in
terms of contractual guarantees or maintenance contracts are reduced or rescinded.

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