TRAFFIC LIGHT

DESIGN
BY MDM LIYANA AHMAD SOFRI
Introduction
In priority junction, there are several cases
where the drivers at minor roads need to wait in
a very long time before they get sufficient gap to
cross or merge with the traffic flow at main
roads (min 4sec).
If this happened, the priority junction is no more
suitable and should be replaced by traffic signal
junction.
The factors that need to be considered are
visibility, safety, numbers of conflicts, locations
of traffic signals, safety area for pedestrians and
the requirement for enough reserved lane to
support the traffic flow.
Definitions
Optimum cycle time (Co) the total time for
the signal to complete one sequence of signal
indication cycle; eg: start of green indication to
the end of the red indication.
Co = 1.5L + 5
1- Y
Where; Y = maximum value of the ratios of
approach flows to saturation flows
for all lane groups using phase
L = total lost time per cycle (sec)

Phase the part of cycle allocated to any
combination of traffic or traffic movements
receiving right-of-way simultaneously during one
or more intervals.
Interval - a period of time during which all signal
indications do not change (constant)
Offset the time laps, in seconds, between the
beginning of a green phase at next intersection.
Intergreen (I) the time between the end of a
green indication for one phase and the beginning
of a green indication for another. An amber
indication shown through the intergreen period
followed by red.
Intergreen and all red will cause delay and
reduce the capacity of the traffic light. However
these two phase are very important because:
1. To give chance to the vehicles that wanted to
turn right but trapped in the junctions to leave
the junction when their right of way has
ended.
2. To avoid collision due to the possibility the
traffic will cross the junction at the beginning
of red indication in high speed or less
visibility.
3. To give right-of-way to pedestrians.


All red interval the display time of red
indication for all approaches. In some cases,
an all red interval is used exclusively for
pedestrians crossing very wide intersections.
Green time (gi) - the time within a given phase
during which the green indications is shown.
Lost time (l) time during which the
intersection is not effectively used by any
movement; this time occurs during the change
interval and at the beginning of each phase.
Total lost time (L) the total lost time at one
phase and total time between intergreen
minus amber time.
L = l + (l a)
Where; l = lost time at each phase (sec)
l = intergreen (sec)
a = amber time (sec)

Saturation flow (s) when the green period
begins, vehicles take some time to start and
accelerate to normal running speed, but after a
few seconds, the vehicle queue discharges at
a more-or-less constant rate; s = 525w pcu/h
where effective approach for the road width
(w) > 5.5m with given saturation flow.
Saturation flow is depend on:
1. superelevation
2. variety of vehicles

3. Turning right vehicles
CASE 1 Turning right vehicles are allowed to
turn right and mix up with all vehicles that went
straight or turned left.
CASE 2 Specific lane for turning right
vehicles is provided.

When CASE1 happened, the effects on the
traffic
flow will be as follow:

Increase delay.
Turn-right vehicles will forbid other vehicles
from using the lane to go straight.
Trapped in the middle of intersection/junction.

Effective green time (g) the effective green time
can be distributed and followed by the ratio value
of the critical flow.
g = y (Co L)
Y
Where; L = total lost time (sec)
Co = Optimum cycle time (sec)
Y = maximum value of the ratios of
approach flows to saturation flows for
all lane groups using phase
y = maximum value of the ratios of
approach flows to saturation flows for
one lane groups using phase.
Controller green time (k) the actual green
time (not including amber time)
k = g + l a
Where; l = lost time at each phase (sec)
g = effective green time (sec)
a = amber time (sec)
Example 4.3
Design a system for the 2-phase traffic light that will be
operated at intersection .The approach to the traffic
signal controlled system listed below:
a. intergreen period, I = 4 sec
b. Lost time, l = 2 sec
c. Amber time, a = 3 sec
Determine:
i) the total lost time
ii) optimum cycle time
iii) actual green time to each phase
iv) sketch time diagram for each phase


Item North South East West
Flow, g 980 820 1400 1350
Saturatio
n,s
3413 3413 3938 3938
Y = q/s 0.287 0.240 0.356 0.343
Ycritical 0.287 0.356