BUS-ACTUATED SIGNAL CONTROL AT ISOLATED INTERSECTIONS--SIMULATION STUDIES OF BUS PRIORITY

Normal traffic signal operation can be modified to give buses priority, if buses are detected separately from other vehicles. A computer simulation has been used to estimate benefits to buses and disbenefits to other traffic when using various forms of priority control superimposed upon the normal UK vehicle-actuated signal operation. All the cases simulated were for two-stage signals controlling crossroads-type intersections with buses on the major road only. The facilities considered are: a "priority call" which regains the green for buses approaching a red signal, and a "priority extension" which maintains an existing green. The priority call curtails the green time on the nonpriority stage, and various methods are considered for alleviating disbenefits to this traffic. Simulation results form the basis for guidance in the use of different methods of priority control with various traffic conditions, bus detector locations and bus flows. Appropriate priority control can usually achieve delay savings for bus passengers which total more than the increase in delay to other travellers. It is less easy to attain a net benefit if equipment costs and the high time-value of non-priority vehicle occupants such as commercial vehicle drivers are taken into account. /Author/

• Corporate Authors:

  Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)

  Wokingham, Berkshire  United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • Vincent, R A
  • Cooper, B R
  • Wood, K
• Publication Date: 1978

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 21 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Bus priority; Intersections; Simulation; Traffic actuated controllers; Traffic delays; Traffic signal controllers
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00178413
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: TRRL Lab Report 814
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Jul 29 1978 12:00AM