ANALYSIS OF FLASHING SIGNAL OPERATION

Flashing traffic signal operation can offer reduced delay over alternative modes of signal operation, such as pretimed and actuated. The research described in this paper was conducted as part of a study on flashing traffic signals. Significant research activities included a review of previous literature, a survey of current practice, an operational analysis of alternative modes of signal operation, and the analysis of traffic volumes during late-night low-volume periods. The literature review found few comprehensive guidelines, although there is evidence that substantial interest exists. The survey of current practice indicated that traffic engineers primarily rely on engineering judgment instead of standards or guidelines. The operational analysis determined that for low volumes, the flashing yellow/red operation will reduce total delay by 50% versus pretimed and actuated operation. In general, the red/red flash operation will produce the most amount of delay. Data collection efforts revealed that typically 2.5% of the average daily traffic (ADT) occurs during the period between midnight and 6:00 a.m. and that the hourly volume during this period ranges from 0.2 to 0.8% of the ADT.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1993/1421/1421-003.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=ANALYSIS+OF+FLASHING+SIGNAL+OPERATION&author=K.+Kacir&author=R.+Benz&author=H.+Hawkins&publication_year=1993
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1421, Traffic Control Devices, Visibility, and Traffic Signal Systems. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Kacir, Kent C
  • Benz, Robert J
  • Hawkins Jr, H Gene
• Publication Date: 1993

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 21-29
• Monograph Title: Traffic control devices, visibility, and traffic signal systems
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1421
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Flashing traffic signals; Guides to the literature; Literature reviews; Operations; State of the art studies; Traffic delays
• Uncontrolled Terms: Operational analysis
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00647263
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309055741
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: May 2 1994 12:00AM