Guidelines for Multicriterion Decision-Based Left-Turn Signal Control

There are three main types of left-turn control at signalized intersections: permitted, protected, and protected–permitted. Determining left-turn signal control types is one of the major elements in traffic signal design and operations, and it is a systematic approach involving complex decision rules. Existing guidelines for determining left-turn signal control have been primarily based on traffic volume, delay, geometry, crash experience, and other related factors. Such guidelines are generally presented in a flowchart format. One of the major shortcomings of the existing guidelines is that a single variable could dominate the decision process and thereby prevent a balanced consideration of all other important variables. A new guideline for determining left-turn control types mostly applicable to conventional left-turn displays is presented. The current format is designed for a four-leg intersection configuration; however, it can be easily adapted to the other formats. The guideline is based on the principles of multicriterion decision analysis and provides an index-based recommendation: a numerical scale is used to compare each type of left-turn control with the others instead of an absolute left-turn control type. With the data collected from the field, it is shown that the proposed guideline can be calibrated and tailored to specific left-turn control policies. Therefore, the guideline can be easily adapted by any jurisdiction.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.3141/2128-10
• Summary URL:
  http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=Guidelines+for+Multicriterion+Decision-Based+Left-Turn+Signal+Control&author=O.+Ozmen&author=Z.+Tian&author=A.+Gibby&publication_year=2009
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780309142601
• Authors:
  • Ozmen, Ozlem
  • Tian, Zong Z
  • Gibby, A Reed
• Publication Date: 2009

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 96-104
• Monograph Title: Traffic Signal Systems 2009
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 2128
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Exclusive permissive phasing; Guidelines; Left turns; Multiple criteria decision making; Signalized intersections
• Uncontrolled Terms: Permissive left turn operations; Protected left turns
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01126901
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309142601
• Report/Paper Numbers: 09-1671
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Apr 20 2009 7:45AM