SIGNAL DELAY WITH PLATOON ARRIVALS (DISCUSSION AND CLOSURE)

Delays at signalized intersections assuming "platoon" flow are analyzed. Graphic analysis of vehicle platoon arrivals is used to develop equations from which the average travel time delay per vehicle can be estimated. Delay for two different, basic conditions is analyzed: (a) when the first vehicle in the platoon arrives during a green interval and is unimpeded and (b) when the first vehicle in the platoon arrives during a red interval or is impeded by queued vehicles. Delay based on the resulting relationships is compared with delay obtained by three conventional methods: the Webster method, May's continuum model method, and the new 1985 Highway Capacity Manual method. Where the platoon leader is unimpeded, there is no delay when the capacity of the throughband equals or exceeds the approach volume. Thus, a high volume-to-capacity ratio may provide a high level of service. This contrasts with delays based on random or uniform arrivals, which are sensitive to the volume-to-capacity ratio. However, where the first platoon vehicle is impeded by a red interval or by queue interference, a chain reaction may occur in which following vehicles are also impeded. This situation may create considerable delay and effectively reduce progression. Effective traffic signal coordination, therefore, can substantially reduce delay and improve levels of service.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1985/1005/1005-004.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=SIGNAL+DELAY+WITH+PLATOON+ARRIVALS+(DISCUSSION+AND+CLOSURE)&author=J.+Staniewicz&author=H.+Levinson&publication_year=1985
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • 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. Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Highway Capacity and Quality of Service.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

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• Authors:
  • Staniewicz, James M
  • Levinson, Herbert S
• Discussers:
  • Chang, Edmond C
• Publication Date: 1985

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 28-37
• Monograph Title: HIGHWAY CAPACITY, TRAFFIC CHARACTERISTICS, AND FLOW THEORY
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1005
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Green interval; Highway capacity; Queuing; Red interval (Traffic signal cycle); Traffic delays; Traffic platooning; Traffic signal control systems; Traffic signal cycle; Traffic simulation; Traffic volume
• Old TRIS Terms: Chain reactions
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I71: Traffic Theory;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00451823
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309038154
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-039 128
• Files: HSL, TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Dec 31 1988 12:00AM