SIGNAL PROGRESSION ON ROUTES IN SUBURBAN-TO-RURAL AREAS

The primary objective of this study was to develop criteria for the introduction of signal progression on major state-controlled signalized arterials in suburban-to-rural areas. This was accomplished by developing, validating, and implementing a two-intersection computer simulation model. The parameters of mean delay per vehicle, mean traveltime, and mean queue length were selected as criteria to measure the effectiveness of different signal settings at a downstream location. By means of regression analysis techniques, the simulated data were utilized in the development of preductive and guideline models that are directly applicable in determining "optimal" signal settings. In studying the maximum signal spacing at which the provision of progression is still beneficial, it was found that there is no clearly defined operational limit to maximum signal spacing from the available field data. The warrant for progressive signal operation can be determined from the increase in the mean operating speed over the section of highway under consideration which depends very much on local condition. If the throughput for equal traffic volumes is defined as (vehicles per hour) times (the mean operating speed in miles per hour) the operational efficiency of the progressive signal system increases in proportion to the increase of the mean operating speed. In studying the effect upon the main traffic flow of vehicles entering from secondary roads, it was concluded that there was no evidence that the entering and merging of vehicles from side roads caused any flow interruptions in the main streams of traffic.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This report was sponsored by the Ohio Department of Transportation and prepared in cooperation with the U.S. DOT, Federal Highway Administration.
• Corporate Authors:

  Ohio State University, Columbus

  Engineering Experiment Station, 2070 Neil Avenue
  Columbus, OH  United States  43210
• Authors:
  • Treiterer, J
  • Vongvichien, P
  • Gerhart Jr, R
  • Ting, K
• Publication Date: 1976-9

Media Info

• Pagination: 259 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Arterial highways; Queuing; Rural areas; Rural highways; Signalized intersections; Simulation; Streets; Suburbs; Traffic delays; Traffic flow; Traffic signal timing; Traffic signals; Traffic volume; Travel time
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00179296
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-78-T-0280 Final Rpt., OHIO-DOT-08-77
• Contract Numbers: State Job # 14265(0)
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 14 1978 12:00AM