Defining Design Space for Parameters of Traffic Signal Timing: Empirical Approach
This paper proposes an agile, scalable approach for an agency to use for defining a design space for parameters of traffic signal controllers that reflect the agency’s procedures. This design space is more commonly known as a checklist of parameters that must be configured in a controller database. The procedure for establishing this design space used simple network-monitoring protocol messages from programmed traffic signal controllers to traverse the controller database tree systematically with the get-next command that was available on controllers that supported the National Transportation Communications for Intelligent Transportation System Protocol (NTCIP). In the case study, a corridor of 22 intersections (five isolated and 17 coordinated) was analyzed to establish the design space empirically. The controllers that were studied had approximately 74,000 configurable parameters, although many of these are seldom configured by most agencies. Longitudinally along a five-intersection corridor, approximately 430 parameters (0.6%) on isolated intersections were changed. Longitudinally along a 17-intersection coordinated system, approximately 1,700 parameters (2.2%) were changed. Approximately 93% of the parameters that were changed on the isolated intersections were defined by NTCIP 1202. Only 28% of the parameters that were changed on the coordinated intersections were defined by NTCIP 1202; the remaining 72% were vendor specific. The paper concludes with a series of tables that summarize the broad spectrum of parameters to be configured for a modern traffic signal controller to operate properly. Agencies can use these tables as a checklist for defining expectations precisely when individuals develop new traffic signal controller configurations or update existing ones. Similarly, consultants can use these tables and procedures to define a clear scope of work on signal-timing projects.
- Record URL:
- Summary URL:
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/168506.aspx
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Authors:
- Brennan Jr, Thomas M
- Griggs, Brian D
- Grimmer, Gannon M
- Hainen, Alexander M
- Day, Christopher
- Sturdevant, James R
- Bullock, Darcy M
- Publication Date: 2012
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Print
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: pp 85–98
- Monograph Title: Traffic Signal Systems 2012
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Serial:
- Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
- Issue Number: 2311
- Publisher: Transportation Research Board
- ISSN: 0361-1981
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Empirical methods; Isolated intersections; Traffic signal control systems; Traffic signal controllers; Traffic signal timing
- Identifier Terms: National Transportation Communications for Intelligent Transportation Systems Protocol
- Uncontrolled Terms: Checklists
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I71: Traffic Theory; I73: Traffic Control;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01368405
- Record Type: Publication
- ISBN: 9780309263085
- Report/Paper Numbers: 12-0685
- Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
- Created Date: Apr 25 2012 8:00AM