Evaluation of Traffic Signal Installations

  • Pigman, Jerry (PI)

Grants and Contracts Details

Description

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study are initially to: 1) review the operation and crash history of traffic signal installations and 2) identify how operation and safety perfonnance relate to the specific signal warrants used to justify the installation. This research then seeks to identify, design. and evaluate warrants for the use and installation of traffic signals at intersections aiming to improve the overall safety of intersections. Research will be directed toward the further correlation of accident patterns with traffic control devices and how the use of traffic signals can affect these specific problems. The implementation of this research will provide signal installation that not only improves the safety level of an intersection, but improves it at a level higher than what other measures, non-traffic signal related, would have accomplished. BACKGROUND: To signalize an intersection, certain warrants need to be met. A series of such warrants have been developed since the 1920's and most of them deal with vehicular flows. Currently, eight warrants exist that govern the installation of a traffic signal and these warrants reflect current thinking and views regarding traffic flows and intersection safety. However, these warrants do not account for site specific traffic patterns, geometric alignments or safety issues that may affect the operational and safety perfonnance of the intersection. Previous studies have shown that traffic signals can cause more problems than their intended goals--they stop traffic unnecessarily, increase delays and pollution levels, and may compromise safety. Crash severity and type, exposure levels, geometric features, and other crash related features need to be addressed to more accurately describe the implications from a traffic signal installation. FY 2007 PROPOSED WORK: All of the data collection, review and a majority of the analyses are expected to be accomplished within the first year of the project. PROGRAMMED COST FY 2007: TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: $ 90,000 $180,000
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date7/1/066/30/07

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