THE MOVA SYSTEM OF TRAFFIC CONTROL AT SIGNALISED JUNCTIONS - EXPERIENCE IN EDINBURGH

Traffic signals at junctions can perform dynamically if converted to a MOVA (Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Actuation) system of operation. MOVA was developed by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) in the early 1980s, and requires vehicle loop detectors to be located strategically in each approach lane. In 1998, Balfour Beatty was awarded a contract for the maintenance and upgrading of a section of the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass; it was scheduled to begin on 7 September 1998 and end by February 1999. The work included the modification of two signal-controlled junctions on the bypass to MOVA operation. The existing Siemens T400 microprocessor traffic signal controllers were replaced by Microsense traffic controllers with integral MOVA, and inductive loop detectors were installed on every approach. At one junction, the maximum cycle time was limited to 180s, and observed cycle times varied from 80s to 130s; at the other junction, the observed behaviour was similar, except during the morning peak, when MOVA was not found to be particularly sucessful. The maximum cycle time was later reduced to 120s; in general, certain limits should be imposed on MOVA cycle times to ensure efficiency. Measurements were also made of the traffic impact (vehicles entering and leaving one of the junctions) due to bypass road works.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00410683
• Corporate Authors:

  PRINTERHALL LIMITED

  32 VAUXHALL BRIDGE ROAD
  LONDON,   United Kingdom  SW1V 2SS
• Authors:
  • JAPS, B
• Publication Date: 1999-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 314-6
• Serial:
  • Traffic Engineering & Control
  • Volume: 40
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Hemming Group, Limited
  • ISSN: 0041-0683
  • Serial URL: http://www.tecmagazine.com/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Area traffic signal control; Beltways; Bypasses; Computer programs; Control; Detection and identification; Detectors; Dynamics; Electromagnetic induction; Intersections; Microprocessors; Optimization; Sensors; Traffic actuated controllers; Traffic signal cycle; Traffic signals; Vehicles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Optimum
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 669: Area traffic control; 2709: Bypass (loop road); 3874: Control; 576: Cycle (traffic signals); 9115: Detection; 5473: Dynamics; 6927: Induction; 455: Junction; 8643: Microprocessor; 6120: Sensor; 8645: Software; 565: Traffic signal; 8119: United Kingdom; 1255: Vehicle; 557: Vehicle actuated
• Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00769884
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Oct 7 1999 12:00AM