CEE 122

Fall 2016
Traffic Signals - Design Basics

Design basics for traffic signals

Definitions
Approach: roadways entering an intersection
Movement: Left, Through, or Right on an approach.
Protected Movement: a movement that does not yield to opposing traffic.
Through Movement always protected and are given a green circle.
Left Turn or Right Turn Protected movement given a green arrow.
Permitted Movement: a left turn or right turn that must yield to opposing traffic.
The turn is made during gaps in opposing traffic or opposing pedestrians.
Green circles are shown to permitted movements.

Phase: All movements that receive green at SAME time

Design basics for traffic signals

Build a new intersection

1. Identify geometrics:
Intersection Layout
Stop Lines
Lane lines
Pavement arrows
Pedestrian Crossings
Pedestrian Landings

Install a traffic signal at an existing intersection

Design basics for traffic signals

2. Identify Phasing
Identify Movements
that receive
green at
same time.
Draw Phasing
Diagram

Phase 1
WB LT
EB LT

phase 2
WB TH,RT
EB TH,RT

Phase 3
SB TH,
RT, LT
NB TH,
RT,LT

Design basics for traffic signals

Examples of
Phasing Diagrams

Design basics for traffic signals

Standard Numbering System for Through and Left Turn Movements
(from National Electrical Manufacturers Association, NEMA)

Major
Street

Minor
Street

Design basics for traffic signals

Example of NEMA Standard Numbering System for Through and Left Turn Movements

Major St.

Minor St.

Design basics for traffic signals

3. Show Movement
numbers needed for
protected phases or
movements only.
(denoted by Greek
symbol phi )
Number protected
phases only
Movement numbers
are not shown for
permitted
movements.

6
1

5
2

3 phases:
Protected = solid line
Permitted = dashed line

First phase: 1+5

2nd phase: 2+6

3rd phase: 4+8

Design basics for traffic signals

4. Identify locations of
Controller Cabinet
Signal poles
Signal mast arms
Signal heads
Signal Indications
Light poles

6
1

5
2

Design basics for traffic signals

4

Identify Poles, Mast Arms, Luminaires, Signal Heads

1
12

12
12

12
12

12

5
2
2

Design basics for traffic signals

distances from stop line to traffic signal head

Choose an appropriate Pole and Mast Arm for Installation at each corner

Choose 19-3-100 Pole Type with 25 Mast Arm for corners 2 and 4
Choose 19-3-100 Pole Type with 30 Mast Arm for corners 1 and 3

Design basics for traffic signals

CA MUTCD Signal Head Details

Design basics for traffic signals

5. Identify locations of:
Detectors
Pedestrian signal heads
Pedestrian push buttons
Conduits
Pullboxes
Conduits

Detectors

Pullboxes

Design basics for traffic signals

Pullboxes

Conduits

Detectors

Design basics for traffic signals

6.

Design basics for traffic signals

7. Conductor and Conduit Schedule

10

Design basics for traffic signals

8. Pedestrian Signals

Locate & number the Pedestrian signal heads (P) and Pedestrian Push Buttons (PPB)

8
8 P

Design basics for traffic signals - Pedestrian Signals

Pedestrian signal head meanings:
A STEADY WALKING PERSON (symbolizing WALK) means that a pedestrian is permitted
to start to cross the roadway.

A FLASHING UPRAISED HAND (symbolizing DONT WALK) means that a pedestrian shall
not start to cross the roadway, but any pedestrian who has already in crosswalk shall
proceed to the far side of the street.
Where COUNTDOWN PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS are used, the countdown shall always be
displayed simultaneously with the FLASHING UPRAISED HAND .
A STEADY UPRAISED HAND (symbolizing DONT WALK) means that a pedestrian shall not
enter the roadway from the curb.

Design basics for traffic signals - Pedestrian Pushbuttons (PPB)

within easy reach of pedestrians, including wheelchair users (typ. at mounting height of
3.5 feet to 4 feet above the sidewalk).
obvious which pushbutton is associated with each crosswalk.
adjacent to a level all-weather surface for wheelchair users.
not greater than 5 feet from extension of crosswalk line.
between 1.5 and 6 feet from the edge of the curb.

Pedestrian Timing

Calc. Ped Clearance Time = Crosswalk Length in feet / Walk Speed of 4 fps
Calc. Ped Clearance Time = [Countdown/flashing hand + Buffer]; where Y+AR = Buffer

Y+AR = Buffer =

Design basics for traffic signals

Example of Pedestrian Timing
at San Fernando and 9th St. where a unique
diagonal crosswalk exists.

Calc. Ped Clearance Time = DIAGONAL Crosswalk Length in feet/ Walk Speed (typ. 4 fps)
= 44/4 fps = 11 sec.
Walk Time + Calc. Ped Clearance Time = 7 sec + 11 sec = 18 sec.

[Walk Time] + ([Countdown/flashing hand] + [Buffer:Y+AR]) = [7 sec] + [8 sec] + [3 sec] = 18 sec

Design basics for traffic signals

Types of traffic signal operations .

Fixed or Pre-timed operation: The Cycle length and timing of G, Y, and AR for each
interval are fixed and constant over time.

Semi-actuated operation:
Detectors are placed in the road lanes for minor road approaches only when a
minor road intersects a major road.
The traffic signal is green for the major road at all times, except when the
detector on the minor road is actuated when a vehicle is present.
Fully-actuated operation:
Detectors are placed in every road lane of all approaches at an intersection.
The Cycle length and G interval for each movement on each approach varies from
cycle to cycle, depending on the number of vehicles on each approach to the
intersection.