A STUDY OF THE FACTORS INFLUENCING THE NUMBER OF SIGNAL TIMING PLANS REQUIRED FOR UTCS FIRST GENERATION TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS

The objective of this study is an examination of various factors which are influential in determining the number of signal timing plans for UTCS IGC systems. The final report first presents three methods which are or have been used for such a determination. It then examines, through simulations using the NETSIM and TRANSYT models, the effects on network traffic of timing plan changes and transitions under different conditions of changing demand. The effects of data errors on the performance of timing plans are also studied. The principal conclusiosn of the study are: (i) The number of timing plans used should be determined by a study of local conditions, considering that the effects of transition between timing plans are significantly more deleterious than may have been recognized until now. (ii) For increasing demand conditions, the detrimental effects of transition increase in magnitude for higher transition frequencies and increasing rates of demand change. (iii) Thirty-minute periods seem too short for the benefits of new timing plans to offset the effects of transition. (iv) In the development of timing plans using TRANSYT, data errors of underestimation are less likely to be detrimental than errors of overestimation. The report also provides recommendations for further research which could improve the operation of IGC systems. (FHWA)

• Corporate Authors:

  Voorhees (Alan M) and Associates, Incorporated

  Cambridge, MA  United States 

  Federal Highway Administration

  Traffic Systems Division, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Basu, S
• Publication Date: 1981-7

Media Info

• Pagination: n.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Performance; Simulation; Traffic control; Traffic signal timing
• Old TRIS Terms: Traffic control systems
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00377221
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-80- 39 Final Rpt., FCP 32K5-092
• Contract Numbers: DOT-FH-11-9530
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 30 1983 12:00AM