IMPROVED OPERATION OF URBAN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. VOLUME II - THE EVALUATION OF OFF-LINE AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL STRATEGIES

This second of a 3-phase (1st, a state-of-the-art review of current traffic signal control strategies; 3rd, the development and evaluation of a real-time computerized traffic control strategy) investigation involved the use of four off-line traffic signal optimization techniques (SIGOP TRANSYT GLC-Combination Program, and the Toronto Method) to derive the signal timing patterns for the 700 a.m. to 900 a.m. period, the 1000 a.m. to 1200 noon period, the 100 p.m. to 300 p.m. period and the 400 p.m. to 600 p.m. period. These patterns were subsequently implemented in both a suburban and a CBD network environment within Metropolitan Toronto. Through an analysis of detailed network survey statistics pertaining to travel time, vehicular delays and stops, and traffic volume data the various timing patterns were evaluated. Thus the "best" off-line traffic signal network optimization program (in terms of manpower requirements, computer requirements, on-street operational effectiveness, and ease of use by an operating Traffic Engineering Department) was identified. Details are given of the Programs, the test network characteristics are described, and the signal timing plans are detailed. Details are also described of floating car speed and delay survey and the program performance evaluation. The evaluation results indicate that all the optimization programs tested, provided comparable on-street levels of service. However, the programs vary in theoretical sophistication, flexibility, coding efforts and computer time requirements. The results compared well with those obtained from the more advanced computer program packages. Comments are made on the study results and on the problems encountered in the study.

• Corporate Authors:

  Ministry of Transport, Canada

  2085 Union, 8th Floor
  Montreal, PQ  Canada 

  Ontario Ministry of Transportation & Communic, Can

  1201 Wilson Avenue
  Downsview, Ontario M3M 1J8,   Canada 

  Metropolitan Toronto, City of, Canada

  City Hall
  Toronto 100,   Canada 
• Publication Date: 1975-11

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 150 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Central business districts; Computers; Evaluation; Highway operations; Level of service; Networks; Optimization; Peak hour traffic; Personnel; Suburbs; Traffic; Traffic control; Traffic delays; Traffic signals; Traffic volume; Travel time; Urban transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Timing
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00131681
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 14 1977 12:00AM