00474258

Component

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...trr/1986/1069/1069-008.pdf

https://scholar.google.co...idel&publication_year=1986

Determination of the change interval is a crucial step in signal timing. In the recommendations of the Institute of Traffic Engineers for determining the change interval, the length of the yellow light is so calculated that the "reasonable" driver can pass the stop line before the onset of the red light. Field data show that the normative, reasonable driver model fails empirically, particularly at low approach speeds. The common approach to determine the change interval fails to consider the possibility of rear-end accidents. It does not offer rational, empirical measures for evaluating the joint risk of right-angle and rear-end collisions for various durations of change intervals and for different combinations of yellow and red clearance intervals. A proposed alternative approach relies on the stopping probability function of traffic at the intersection approach. It is shown that the range of the indecision zone that can be inferred from the stopping probability function is related to the risk of rear-end accidents. Similarly, the stopping function and the speed distribution are related to the risk of right-angle collisions. Finally, it is demonstrated how the concepts of stopping probability function and indecision zone might be used in practice to determine the change interval.

Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Traffic Control Devices. Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Traffic Control Devices. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

00490259

HS-040 097

Stein, Howard

p. 39-45

1986

Transportation Research Record

0-309-04063-9

Figures (5) ; References (27)

Approach; Clearance interval (Traffic signal cycle); Field studies; Hazards; Probability; Rear end crashes; Right angle crashes; Risk assessment; Speed; Speed distribution; Stopping; Time intervals; Traffic signal timing; Yellow interval (Traffic signal cycle)

Field data; Probabilistic analysis

Data and Information Technology; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control

HSL, TRIS, TRB

Oct 31 1990 12:00AM

• A FURTHER NOTE ON UNDULATION AS A SPEED CONTROL DEVICE
• A REASSESSMENT OF THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL CHANGE INTERVAL
• ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE OF FLASHING TRAFFIC SIGNAL OPERATION IN PORTLAND, OREGON
• ADAPTING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RAIL-HIGHWAY CROSSING RESOURCE ALLOCATION MODEL TO THE MICROCOMPUTER
• ANALYTICAL WARRANT FOR SEPARATE LEFT-TURN PHASING (ABRIDGMENT)
• COUNTERING SIGN VANDALISM WITH PUBLIC SERVICE ADVERTISING (ABRIDGMENT)
• CRITIQUE OF RAIL-HIGHWAY GRADE CROSSING EFFECTIVENESS RATIOS AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION PROCEDURES (DISCUSSION AND CLOSURE)
• EFFECTIVENESS OF FLASHING BEACONS IN REDUCING ACCIDENTS AT A HAZARDOUS RURAL CURVE (ABRIDGMENT)
• GUIDELINES FOR PROTECTED/PERMISSIVE LEFT-TURN SIGNAL PHASING
• GUIDELINES FOR SELECTING TYPE OF LEFT-TURN PHASING
• RUMBLE STRIPS AND PAINT STRIPES AT A RURAL INTERSECTION
• THE EFFECTS OF WIDE EDGE LINES ON LATERAL PLACEMENT AND SPEED ON TWO-LANE RURAL ROADS
• THE SAFETY, ECONOMIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF REQUIRING STOPS AT RAILROAD-HIGHWAY CROSSINGS
• THE USE OF CONSTANT WARNING TIME SYSTEMS AT RAIL-HIGHWAY GRADE CROSSINGS
• TIMING DESIGN OF SIGNAL CHANGE INTERVALS (DISCUSSION AND CLOSURE)
• TIMING DESIGN OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS
• VALIDATION OF A TRAFFIC MODEL