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INTERSECTION CONTROL

I think that everything is possible as long as you put your mind to it, and you put the work
and time into it. I think your mind really controls everything.
Michael Phelps

20 December 2021 Transportation Engineering

 Case C: Yield Controlled Intersections from Minor
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» Case C1: Cross Maneuver from the Minor Roads

» Case C2: Left or Right Turn from the Minor Roads

Green Book 2018 (7th Ed.)

 Case C1: Cross Maneuver from the Minor Roads
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1. Drivers decelerate to 60% of the minor road design speed

2. The rate of deceleration is 5 ft /sec2.
3. The time tg to cross the intersection should include the time taken from the
decision point to where the speed is reduced to 60%.
4. The vehicle then travels at the reduced speed until it crosses the intersection.
» t = t +(w+L )/0.88v
g a a minor tg travel time to reach and clear the intersection (sec)
ta travel time to reach the major road from the
» d ISD =1.47v t
major g
decision point for a vehicle that does not stop
w width of the intersection to be crossed (ft)
La length of design vehicle (ft)
vminor design speed of minor road (mi/h)
vmajor design speed of major road (mi/h)
 Case C1: Cross Maneuver from the Minor Roads
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 Example 7.5
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An urban two-lane minor road crosses a four-lane divided highway with a speed limit of 55 mi/h. If the
minor road has a speed limit of 35 mi/h and the intersection is controlled by a yield sign on the minor
road, determine the sight distance from the intersection that is required along the major road such that
the driver of a vehicle on the minor road can safely cross the intersection. The following conditions exist
at the intersection.
• Major road lane width 11 ft
• Median width 8 ft
» tg = ta +(w+La)/0.88vminor
t a = 4.6 sec for passenger vehicles from Table 7.9
• Design vehicle on minor road is a PC length 22 ft
w = ( 4 x 11 + 8) = 52 ft
• Approach grade on minor road 3%.
t g = 4.6 + (52 + 22)/(0.88 x 35) = 7.0 sec

» dISD =1.47vmajortg
dISD =1.47 x 55 x 7 = 566.2 ft
 Case C2: Left or Right Turn from the Minor Roads
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Sight distance It is assumed that a driver will reduce speed to about 10 mph.
requirements for
yield-control Based on this assumption, the length of the minor road leg of the sight triangle is
intersections are taken as 82 ft.
usually larger than
those for stop The length of the major road leg is computed using the same principles for the
control, which makes stopped control of Case B1 and B2.
it unnecessary to
check for the stopped
condition to tg values used are 0.5 seconds higher than those in Table 7.8
accommodate those
vehicles that are
stopped to avoid Adjustment should be made for major highways with more than two lanes
approaching vehicles
on the major road.
Not necessary to make this adjustment for right turns
 Case D: Signal Controlled Intersections
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1. First vehicle stopped at the stop line of each approach should be visible
to the driver of the first vehicle stopped on all other approaches
2. Adequate sight distance should be provided for left-turning vehicles to
enable drivers of these vehicles to select adequate gaps

• When the signals are to be placed in a flashing operation for all approaches during off-peak periods,
then the sight distance requirements for the appropriate condition of Case B should be provided.
• Similarly, if right turn on red is permitted, then the appropriate sight requirement for right turns of
Case B should be provided.
 Case E: All-way Stop Controlled Intersections
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The only sight

distance required in
this case is that the
first vehicle stopped
at the stop line of
each approach
should be visible to
the driver of the
first vehicle stopped
on all other
approaches.
 Case F: Left Turns from Major Highway
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» Turning movement from a stopped position

» Adequate sight distance along the major road
is the distance traveled by an oncoming
vehicle along the major road during the time it
takes the stopped vehicle to cross the major
road.
 Ch. 8: Intersection Control
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» The purpose of traffic control is to assign the right of way to

drivers and thus to facilitate highway safety by ensuring the
orderly and predictable movement of all traffic on highways.
» Control Types:
Regulate,
» Traffic signals
Guide
» Signs Warn
» Markings Channel traffic

https://en.calameo.com/read/0047900817e90b951c140
 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
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1 2 3 4 5
Fulfill a need Command Convey a clear, Command the Give adequate
attention simple meaning respect of road time for proper
users response

https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/index.htm
 MUTCD Recommended Factors
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Design The device should be designed with a combination of size, color, and shape that will
convey a message and command the respect and attention of the driver.

Placement The device should be located so that it is within the cone of vision of the viewer and
the driver has adequate response time when driving at normal speed.

Operation The device should be used in a manner that ensures the fulfillment of traffic
requirements in a consistent and uniform way.

Maintenance The device must be regularly maintained to ensure that legibility is sustained.

Uniformity To facilitate the recognition and understanding of these devices by drivers, similar
devices should be used at locations with similar traffic and geometric characteristics.

https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/comments/87pigt/this_blue_stop_sign_in_hawaii/
 Uniformity/Discrepancy in Kurdistan
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 Conflict Points at Intersections
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» Conflicts occur when traffic streams

moving in different directions
interfere with each other.
» Types of conflicts:
» Merging
» Diverging
» Crossing

» 32 conflict points at a four-approach

unsignalized intersection
 Conflict Points at Intersections
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The primary objective in the design To reduce the number of

of a traffic-control system at an
intersection is: significant conflict points

Type of conflict
Factors that influence the
significance of a conflict include # of vehicles
Speed
 Types of Intersection Control
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YIELD SIGNS STOP SIGNS MULTIWAY STOP INTERSECTION TRAFFIC SIGNALS

SIGNS CHANNELIZATION
 Yield Sign
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» Slow down and yield the right of way to all

conflicting vehicles at the intersection
» Stopping at yield signs is not mandatory
» Yield signs are usually placed on minor-
road approaches

Yield Example
 Stop Signs
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» Is used where an approaching vehicle is

required to stop before entering the
intersection
» Should be used only when they are warranted
» Should not be used at signalized intersections
or on through roadways of expressways

Stop Example
 Multiway Stop Signs
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» All vehicles approaching the intersection stop before

entering it.
» Used when the traffic volumes on all the approaches are
approximately equal
» Should be considered when >4 crashes occur at an
intersection in a 12-month period
» Read Example 8.1

All Stop Example

 Intersection Channelization
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» Separate turn lanes from through

lanes
» Solid white lines or raised barriers
1. Allow a natural, convenient flow of
traffic
2. Avoiding confusion
3. Providing adequate radii of curves
and widths of lanes
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 Traffic Signals
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Why do we use traffic signals?

To eliminate many conflicts because different traffic streams can be assigned the use of
the intersection at different times
What is the negative impact of using traffic signals?
Results in a delay to vehicles in all streams
What is the most important factor that determines the need for traffic signals at a
particular intersection?

Traffic volume, pedestrian volume, and crash experience

 Signal Warrants
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MUTCD (eight warrants)

• At least one of which should be satisfied
• Professional judgment

• Warrant 1, Eight-hour vehicular volume

• Warrant 2, Four-hour vehicular volume
• Warrant 3, Peak hour
• Warrant 4, Pedestrian volume
• Warrant 5, School crossing
• Warrant 6, Coordinated signal system
• Warrant 7, Crash experience
• Warrant 8, Roadway network
 Warrant 1, Eight-hour vehicular volume
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 Warrant 1, Eight-hour vehicular volume
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 Warrant 2, Four-Hour Vehicular Volume
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 Warrant 3, Peak-Hour (Cond. A)
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Delay of 4 consecutive 15-minute on one minor-street (one direction only) controlled by a stop sign ≥
specified levels & the same minor-street vol. and the total intersection entering volume ≥ specified levels.

Delay = 4 veh-hrs (one-lane approach) & 5 veh-hrs (two-lane approach)

Specified vol. = 100 veh/h for one moving lane & 150 veh/h for two moving lanes.

Specified vol. for total intersection volume = 650 veh/h for intersections with three approaches & 800
veh/h for intersections with four or more approaches.
 Warrant 3, Peak-Hour (Cond. B)
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 Warrant 4, Minimum Pedestrian Volume
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The signal should be of

the traffic-actuated type
with pushbuttons for
pedestrian crossing.
 Warrant 5, School Crossing
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# acceptable gaps < # ≥ 20 students during the

minutes in that period highest crossing hour.
 Warrant 6, Coordinated Signal System
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» To enhance the progressive movement of traffic along a

highway segment with a coordinated traffic-signal system
» Traffic signal spacing ≥ 300 ft.
 Warrant 7, Crash Experience
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» To reduce the number and severity of crashes at the intersection when

crash frequency has not been reduced by an adequate trial of
less restrictive measures
» ≥ 5 injury or reportable property-damage-only crashes have
occurred within a 12-month
» Traffic & pedestrian volumes ≥ 80% of the requirements
specified in the minimum vehicular volume warrant, the
interruption of continuous traffic warrant, or the minimum
pedestrian volume warrant
 Warrant 8, Roadway Network
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To encourage
concentration and Entering volume ≥ 1000 during the peak hour &
organization of
traffic networks

Five-year projected traffic volumes, based on an

engineering study, satisfy the requirements of the
following warrants:

eight-hour four-hour vehicular peak-hour volume

vehicular volume, volume, and during an average
weekday.
 Example 8.2
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A two-lane minor street crosses a four-lane major street. If the traffic conditions are as
given, determine whether installing a traffic signal at this intersection is warranted.
1. The traffic volumes for each eight hours of an average day (both directions on major
street) total 400 veh/h. For the higher volume minor-street approach (one direction
only), the total is 100 veh/h.
2. The 85th-percentile speed of major-street traffic is 43 mi/h.
3. The pedestrian volume crossing the major street during an average day is 200 ped/h
during peak pedestrian periods (two hours in the morning and two hours in the
afternoon).
4. The number of gaps per hour in the traffic stream for pedestrians to cross during peak
pedestrian periods is 52.
5. The nearest traffic signal is located 450 ft from this location.
 Example 8.2
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Since the eight-hour vehicular and pedestrian volumes are given, these warrants are checked to
determine whether the conditions of either are satisfied.
• Check minimum vehicular volume condition (Condition A).
Minimum volume requirements for this intersection (two lanes for moving traffic on major street
and one lane on minor street) are 600 veh/h on the major street (total of both approaches) and 150
veh/h on the minor street (one direction only) (see Table 8.1). Volumes at the intersection are less
than the minimum volumes that is 400 < 600 and 100 < 150. However, because the 85th-
percentile speed is 43 mi/h > 40 mi/h, the minimum volumes required can be reduced to 70
percent of the requirements. the minimum volumes required can be reduced to 70 percent of the
requirements. Therefore, minimum required volumes are 420 and 105. The volumes at the
intersection are still less than the adjusted required volumes.

The minimum vehicular volumes warrant is not satisfied.

 Example 8.2
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Check minimum pedestrian volume.

• The minimum pedestrian volumes required are ≥100 for each of any 4 hours or ≥190 during any
hour. With 200 pedestrians/hr during the peak pedestrian volumes, the minimum requirement for
pedestrian volumes is satisfied.
• The minimum acceptable gaps for pedestrian crossing are 60 gaps/hr. The number of gaps available is
52. The number of gaps for pedestrian crossing is insufficient and the acceptable-gaps condition is
satisfied.
• For the location of the nearest traffic signal along the major street, the minimum distance required is
300 ft. The nearest traffic signal to the intersection is 450 ft away; 450 > 300. Thus, the location of the
nearest traffic signal condition is satisfied.

A traffic signal therefore is justified under the minimum pedestrian volume warrant. The signal
should be of the traffic-actuated type with pushbuttons for pedestrians who are crossing.
59 End…
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