THREE TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROL PHILOSOPHIES APPLIED TO AN ARTERIAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM

The Department of Motor Transport (DMT) traffic signal system in the Newtown/St Peters area was used in a comparison of three methods of traffic signal control: dmt-strategic control, optimised fixed-time, and isolated DMT-strategic control, optimised fixed-time, and isolated responsive system which calculates cycle length, phase splits and off-sets in real-time in response to measured demand. The optimised fixed-time system used historical data as input to the Greater London Council (GLC) combination program; four fixed-time plans were prepared. For the isolated operation method, the computer did not send co-ordinating pulses so that local controllers responded to local demand only. The results obtained showed that in peak hours DMT-strategic control gave a 35-39 per cent improvement in journey time, for vehicles on the main through route over optimised fixed-time control. In the early morning and late evening periods DMT-strategic control gave 24 per cent and 35 per cent statistically significant improvements respectively over optimised fixed-time control. During the business hours no statistically significant difference in average journey time was found between these two methods of control. These improvements were achieved along with overall improvement in side street delay and travel time of vehicles entering and crossing the system. Analysis of bus-passenger movement within the system showed that no bus progression was obtained with either dmt-strategic control or optimised fixed-time control. Further, it was found that the bus priority scheme incorporated in DMT-strategic control, at a localised area, was effective and gave improvements in average journey time of up to 26 per cent. /Author/TRRL/

• Record URL:
  • http://arrbknowledge.com
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Proceeding of the 8th Conference of the Australian Road Research Board.
• Corporate Authors:

  ARRB

  Melbourne, Victoria  Australia 
• Authors:
  • Moore, S E
  • Lowrie, P R
  • SIMS, A G
• Conference:
  • Australian Road Research Board Conference Proc
• Publication Date: 1976

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 1-9
• Serial:
  • Volume: 8
  • Issue Number: 1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Actuated traffic signal controllers; Arterial highways; Conferences; Control; Control devices; Dynamics; Pretimed traffic signal controllers; Streets; Traffic; Traffic actuated controllers; Traffic signal control systems; Traffic signal controllers; Travel time; Trip length
• ITRD Terms: 8525: Conference; 3874: Control; 5473: Dynamics; 577: Fixed time (signals); 697: Journey time; 597: Linked signals; 755: Traffic
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00164185
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Dec 27 1977 12:00AM