Transportation

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Module 3

Transportation
Module 3
Intersections

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Problem 3-1

The following 15-minute counts were made at an intersection.

4:00-4:15 245 5:00-5:15 383

4:15-4:30 253 5:15-5:30 354
4:30-4:45 295 5:30-5:45 332
4:45-5:00 352 5:45-6:00 310

The Design Hour Volume, in vehicles per hour, is most nearly:

(A) 1260
(B) 1420
(C) 1530
(D) 2520

Solution
The four concurrent 15-minute flows represent the peak hour.
4:00-5:00
4:15-5:15
4:30-5:30
4:45-5:45
5:00-6:00
The to period is the peak hour. The peak hour factor is found from:
Peak Hour Volume
PHF = =
4* peak 15 minute volume
The Design Hourly Volume (DHV) = Peak hour volume / PHF or
DHV =
It is also calculated by 4* the peak 15-minute interval =

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Problem 3-2
The drawings below detail the traffic conditions, and geometric design for a signal controlled
intersection.
0.4
0.3 0.3

800 vph

0.35
800 vph 0.45
0.20
0.3
0.5 900 vph
0.2

900 vph

0.25 0.25
0.5

Assume the mean pedestrian speed of 4 ft/sec and perception/reaction time of 2 seconds. The
Passenger Car Equivalent for trucks is 1.6, the left-turn factor is 1.4, the right-turn factor is 1.2,
and the yellow time is 4 seconds for all phase changes. Assume a peak hour factor of 0.94. The
lost time per phases is 3.0 seconds throughout. The percentage of heavy vehicles and saturation
flow rates on all approaches is 2% and 1,400 vpgph respectively. The phase plan is tabulated
below.

Phase A Phase B
N/S all E/W all movements
movements
Saturation flow rate sj 1400 1400
Lost time li 3.0 3.0

The cycle time, in seconds, that will minimize overall delay while accommodating pedestrian
movements safely, is most nearly:

(A) 90
(B) 100
(C) 115
(D) 120

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Solution
Step 1 - compute turning flows for each approach in PCE's

North South West East

L T R L T R L T R L T R
turning
proportions 0.30 0.40 0.30 0.25 0.50 0.25 0.30 0.50 0.20 0.20 0.45 0.35
approach
volumes 800 900 900 800
turning
volumes 270 450 180 160 360 280

Step 2 - convert flows to PCE's

North South West East

L T R L T R L T R L T R

225 450 225 270 450 180 160 360 280

0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94

a v/PHV 239 287 479 191 170 383 298

b 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%

c a.(100-b) 334 250 235 469 235 281 469 188 167 375 292

d a-b 6.8 5.1 4.8 9.6 4.8 5.7 9.6 3.8 3.4 7.7 6.0

e pce.d 10.9 8.2 7.7 15.3 7.7 9.2 15.3 6.1 5.4 12.3 9.5

f c+e 345 258 242 484 242 291 484 194 172 388 301

g LTF.vleft

h RTF.vrt

j 339 484 291 407 484 233 241 388 362

Note: rounding errors may slant the numbers.

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a apply Peak Hour Factors
b truck %
c # cars
d # Trucks
e trucks in PCE's – factor given is 1.6
f all vehicles in PCE's HV adjusted
g apply Left Turn Factors –factor given is 1.4
h apply Right Turn Factors –factor given is 1.2
j all flows in PCE’s

Step 3 - distribute Left & Right flows evenly between approach lanes
North South West East
L=T/ T/2+
L+T/2 T/2+R L+T/2 T/2+R L+T/2 T/2+R
2 R
534 482

Step 4 - identify critical flows for each phase

Phase A Phase B
N/S E/W
Vij
sj 1400 1400
yi Vij/sj
Sum =

Step 5 - compute Y

Y = Σyi =

Step 6 – compute L
Phase A Phase B
N/S E/W
lost time li 3.0 3.0
Total lost
L
time

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Step 7 – compute optimum cycle time
1.5 L = 5
Cycle time Co =
1− y
= ((1.5x6)+5) / (1- )
=

Step 8 - compute total effective green time Gte (seconds)

total effective green time = Gte = Co - L =

Step 9 - compute phase green times Gi (seconds)

Phase A Phase B
N/S N/S

Gi = s (Yi/Y)*Gte

Step 10 - deduct yellow times

Phase A Phase B
τ=4 N/S N/S
48 54

Step 11 - compute minimum pedestrian crossing times (seconds)

N S
width W 44
W/4 crossing time 10
2secs add P - R time 12

Step 12 - adjust for minimum pedestrian times (seconds)

Phase A Phase B
N/S E/W

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Step 13 - compute design cycle time

C = L + 4τ +Σvi =
Summary of Signal Timings in seconds
Phase Green times
N/S
E/W

Total Cycle Time= seconds

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Problem 3-3
An 8-phase intersection has the critical volumes vij, in vehicles per hour, as tabulated below:
Vij(vph)
Phase 1 72
Phase 2 163
Phase 3 132
Phase 4 88
Phase 5 174
Phase 6 160
Phase 7 114
Phase 8 38

Phases 1 and 5 are protected right turns with lost times of 2.0 seconds and capacity 1800 vph.
All other phases have 3.0 second lost time and capacity of 1600 vehicles per hour. The optimum
cycle time, in seconds, is most nearly:
(A) 60
(B) 80
(C) 100
(D) 120

Solution
Step 1 - compute Y
Vij sj Vij/sj
Phase 1
Phase 2 163 1600
Phase 3 132 1600
Phase 4 88 1600
Phase 5 174
Phase 6 160 1600 0.10
Phase 7 114 1600 0.07
Phase 8 38 1600 0.02
Y

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Step 2 – compute total lost time, L

lij
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3 3.0
Phase 4 3.0
Phase 5
Phase 6 3.0
Phase 7 3.0
Phase 8 3.0

Step 3 - compute optimum cycle time

1.5L + 5
Co =
1− Y

Co =

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Problem 3-4
The percentage of vehicles arriving at a stream approach to a traffic signal that arrives during the
green phase is 30%. If the cycle length is 100 seconds and the effective green time for the
relevant phase is 23 seconds, the progression quality may be described as:

(A) Very poor

(B) Unfavorable
(C) Random arrivals
(D) Favorable
Solution
Refer to Exhibit 15-4 Arrival Types, Highway Capacity Manual, which relates to the relationship
between Arrival Type and Platoon Ratio (Rp).
The platoon ratio, Rp =
Where P is the proportion of vehicles arriving during the green phase

C is the cycle time (seconds)

gi is the effective green time (seconds)

Rp =

Arrival Type 4 encompasses a platoon ratio of >1.15 and <1.50, described as .

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Problem 3-5
Traffic engineers have designed a fixed time signal system that operates during the evening peak
period. All intersections are controlled with a common cycle time of 106 seconds and the green
splits favor the N/S traffic by a ratio of 5:3 over the E/W traffic. If the green time for all N/S
phases is 58 seconds, the 85%ile speed of traffic is 35 mph, and the distance between
intersections is 700 feet, the offset that should be applied to provide a green wave that will
encourage traffic to observe the posted speed limit of 30mph in seconds, is most nearly:

(A) 12
(B) 14
(C) 16
(D) 20

Solution

The time needed to cover the distance between intersections at a mean speed of 30 mph, is the
offset that will encourage traffic to observe the posted speed limit.

A B

700 ft

First we have to convert the distance in feet into miles. Considering that 1 mile is 5280 feet, we
have,

distance in miles=
Then, using the fundamental time/speed/distance relationship:
d
t=
s
Where:
t = time
d = distance
s = speed
We have that the time needed to cover the

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miles
t= =
miles / hr
Then, converting hours into minutes, we have
hr *3600 s
t= = s
1 hr
An offset of seconds would be recommended to encourage a 30 mph speed on the street.

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Problem 3-6

A 20-foot vehicle at an 85-foot wide intersection experiences 5.8 seconds of yellow time. The
vehicle is traveling at a 3% downgrade with a 1 second reaction time and a 0.27 g deceleration
rate. If no dilemma zone is present, then the maximum posted speed limit, in miles per hour, is
most nearly:

(A) 30
(B) 35
(C) 40
(D) 45

Solution
(in. width + veh. length 1.47 *speed
Min. Amber Time = reaction time + +
1.47*speed 2* (deceleration + gravity)

By trial and error

Speed (mph) Amber time
(sec)
30
35
40
45

To satisfy the amber time of 5.8 seconds, the posted speed limit should be

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Problem 3-7
For an Operational Analysis of a traffic signal approach, one 11 foot wide through lane on a 2%
downhill grade has neither left turning nor right turning traffic. The change and clearance
interval (yellow plus all-red) is 4.0 seconds. The percentage of heavy vehicles is 2%. Parking is
prohibited and there are no bus stops. If the signal is located in a Central Business District, the
saturation flow rate for the 11 foot lane under prevailing conditions, in vehicles per hour, is most
nearly:

(A) 1620
(B) 1637
(C) 1670
(D) 1693

Solution
Refer to Chapter 16, p.16-9, Highway Capacity Manual 2000, Saturation Flow Rate Module.
The required saturation flow rate is given by equation 16-4 (HCM):

s = so N fw fHV fg fp fbb fa fRT fLT

Where:
s = required saturation flow rate, vphg
so = ideal saturation flow rate
N = number of lanes in group
fw = lane width adjustment factor
fHV = heavy vehicle adjustment factor
fg = approach grade adjustment factor
fp = parking adjustment factor
fbb = bus blocking factor
fa = area type adjustment factor
fRT = right turn adjustment factor
fLT = left turn adjustment factor
The values for each of the factors are derived directly from Chapter 16 of the Highway Capacity
Manual. The values are tabulated below.

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Factor Interpretation Value

so default
N 1
fw 11 ft
fHV 2%
fg -2% (downhill)
fp no parking
fbb no bus blocking
fa CBD
fRT no right turns
fLT no left turns
Substituting, saturation flow is given by:
s=

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Problem 3-8

An intersection approach has an 0.85 degree of saturation and a saturation flow rate of 900
vehicles per group per hour. The Peak Hour Factor is 0.85. The effective green ratio for the lane
group to support a 650 peak 15-minute flow rate is most nearly:

(A) 0.45
(B) 0.60
(C) 0.70
(D) 0.85

Solution
With the peak 15-minutes being 650, then the hourly volume, V is
V = vP * PHF =
Degree of saturation, X, is equal to the v/c ratio from equation 16-7 on page 16-14 of the 2000
HCM.
v
X=
(s * g / C )
X = volume-to capacity ratio
v = actual or projected demand flow rate, vph
s = saturation flow rate, vphg
g = effective green time, sec
C = cycle length. sec
Solving for g/C ratio
V
g /C = =
s* X

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Problem 3-9

A traffic intersection controlled by signals has been analyzed. There is an effective green ratio
of 0.67 for a southbound approach with 3 lanes and no parking. All turning movements are from
shared lanes and are protected based on the signal phasing. Right turns constitute15% of the
movements, 10% are left turns and the rest are through movements. Assuming default values for
all other factors, and the degree of saturation is 0.95, the 15-minute peak flow rate for this
approach, in vehicles per hour, is most nearly:

(A) 3150
(B) 3300
(C) 3500
(D) 4950

Solution
Degree of saturation, X, is equal to the v/c ratio from equation 16-7 on page 16-14 of the
2000 HCM.
v
X = v/c =
(s * g / C )
V = vP * PHF
Therefore we must solve for capacity and then find 15-minute peak.
ci = si * (gi / C) from equation 16-6 on page 16-14 on the 2000 HCM.
g / C is provided as 0.67 for this approach
The saturation flow rate is calculated from equation 16-4 on page 16-9 of the 2000 HCM.
s = so N fW fHV fg fP fbb fa fLU fRT fLT
The factors for the various adjustment factors are found in Chapter 16 of the 2000 HCM from
Exhibit 16-7. Default values for the various factors are provided in Exhibit 10-12, page 10-17 if
not otherwise provided in the problem.
so = 1900 pcphgpl
N = number of lanes,
fW = lane width adjustment factor from Exhibit 16-7 on page 16-11 of the 2000 HCM,

fHV = heavy vehicle adjustment factor from Exhibit 16-7 on page 16-11 of the 2000 HCM

fg = grade adjustment factor from Exhibit 16-7 on page 16-11 of the 2000 HCM

fP = parking adjustment factor from Exhibit 16-7 on page 16-11 of the 2000 HCM

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fbb = bus blocking adjustment factor from Exhibit 16-7 on page 16-11 of the 2000 HCM

fa = area adjustment factor from Exhibit 16-7 on page 16-11 of the 2000 HCM

fLU = lane utilization adjustment factor from Exhibit 10-23 on page 10-26 of the 2000 HCM

fRT = right turn adjustment factor from Exhibit 16-7 on page 16-11 of the 2000 HCM
Since all approach movements are protected and the movements are from shared lanes, case 4
applies where the factor is a function of right turn percentage
fRT = 1.0 – PRT * 0.15 =
fLT = left turn adjustment factor from Exhibit 16-7 on page 16-11 of the 2000 HCM
Since all approach movements are protected and the movements are from shared lanes, case 4
applies where the factor is a function of left turn percentage
1.0
f LT = =
(1.0 + .05* PLT )
s = so N fW fHV fg fP fbb fa fLU fRT fLT
s = 1900 * 3 * 1.0 * 0.98 * 1.0 * 1.0 * 1.0 * 1.0 * 0.91 * 0.9775 * 0.995 =
ci = si * (gi / C)
c=
Using the provided degree of saturation, 0.95, and the calculated capacity, the volume, V is
calculated:
X = v/c =V
V = X * (s * g / C) = 0.95 * 3313 = 3147 vph
The PHF is assumed from the defaults as 0.92 since none was provided.
vP = V / PHF = 3147 / 0.92 = 3420 vph

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