Module 3

MODULE - 3
 Traffic control devices
Various aids and devices used to control, regulate and guide traffic may be
called traffic control devices. Most common devices are:

1. Signs
2. Signals
3. Markings
4. Islands
 Traffic control devices
1. Traffic Signs
• Traffic signs should be backed by law. The should be placed such that they
could be seen and recognized by road users easily and in time.
• Signs should be kept 0.6m away from edge for pavements with kerbs and
should be kept 2 to 3m away from pavements without raised kerbs.
• Signs should be mounted on sign posts.
• Types of signs:
a) Regulatory signs
b) Warning signs
c) Informatory signs
 Traffic control devices
1. Traffic Signs
a) Regulatory signs
i. Stop and give way signs
Stop sign is intended to stop the vehicles on a roadway. It is octagonal in
shape and red in colour with white border. Give way sign is used to control
the vehicles on a road so as to give right of way to traffic on other roadways.
Give way sign is triangular in shape with apex downwards. It is white in
colour with red border.
ii. Prohibitory signs
Prohibitory signs are meant to prohibit certain traffic movements, use of
horns, entry of certain vehicle class etc. These signs are circular in shape and
white in colour with red border.
iii. No parking and no stopping signs
No parking sign is meant to prohibit vehicle parking. No parking sign is
circular in shape with a blue background, a red border and an oblique red bar
at an angle of 45°. No stopping sign is meant to prohibit stopping of vehicles
at a place. It is circular in shape with blue background, red border two
oblique red borders at 45°.
 Traffic control devices
iv. Speed limit
Speed limit signs are meant to restrict the speed of all
or certain classes of vehicles. These signs are circular
in shape and have white background, red border and
black numerals.
v. Restriction ends sign
Restriction end signs are also circular with white
background and diagonal black band at 45°.
vi. Compulsory direction control and other signs
Compulsory direction control signs indicate by arrows,
the appropriate directions in which vehicles are
obliged to proceed. These signs are circular in shape
with blue background and white direction arrows.
 Traffic control devices
1. Traffic Signs
b) Warning signs
• Warning signs are used to warn the road users of hazardous conditions that
exists on or adjacent to roadway.
• Shape is of equilateral triangle with apex upwards, white background,
red border and black symbol.
 Traffic control devices
1. Traffic Signs
c) Informatory signs
• These signs are used to guide the road users along routes,
inform them of destination and distance and provide with
information to make travel easier, safe and pleasant.
• These signs include direction and place identification
signs, facility information signs, parking signs etc.
• Direction and place identification signs are rectangular
with white background, black border and black arrows
and letters.
 Traffic control devices
2. Traffic Signals
• Traffic signals are control devices which could alternately direct the traffic to stop and proceed
at intersections using red, yellow(amber) and green traffic light signals automatically.
• Main requirement is to draw attention, provide meaning and time to respond and to have minimum waste
of time.
Advantages:
• Provide orderly movement and increase capacity of intersection.
• Reduce certain types of accidents.
• Pedestrians can cross road safely.
• If properly coordinated speed can be increased.
• Provide chances for minor road vehicles to cross the intersection.
• Automatic control will be economical than manual.
•Quality of flow is improved.
Disadvantages:
• Rear end collision may
increase.
• Improper design and
 Traffic control devices
3. Traffic Markings
• Traffic markings are made of lines, patterns, words, symbols or
reflectors. They are provided to warn guide or regulate traffic.
Markings are made using paints in contrast with colour and
brightness of pavement or other background. Light reflecting
paints are usually used.
• Markings are classified as:
i. Pavement markings: Pavement markings are made of white
paint. Yellow colour is used to indicate parking restrictions
and for continuous centreline and barrierline markings.
ii. Kerb markings: These markings indicate regulations like
parking regulations. Markings on kerbs and islands with black
and white colour increases their visibility.
iii. Object markings: Physical obstructions on or near roadway are
hazardous and hence they are properly marked.
 Traffic control devices
4. Traffic Islands
• Traffic islands include:
a) Divisional Islands: They are intended to separate opposingg flow of
traffic on a highway with four or more lanes. Head on collisions can be
avoided by the provision of divisional islands. They should be large enough
to avoid glare during night and should be high enough to prevent vehicles
entering on it.
b) Channelizing island
c) Rotary island
d) Pedestrian loading island
 Traffic signals

 Traffic signals are one of the most effective and

flexible active control of traffic and is widely used in
several cities world wide.
 The conflicts arising from movements of traffic in
different directions is addressed by time sharing
principle.
 Warrants for traffic signals

•Signals are installed if

Average traffic volume for eight hours on both approaches is at least
650 vehicles per hour (single lane) and 800 vph( 2 or more lanes)
The traffic volume on a major street is so heavy that traffic on a minor
intersecting street suffers excessive delay or hazard in entering or
crossing the major street
There is minimum pedestrian volume of 150 persons per hour crossing
a major street
Other accident prevention measures have failed to decrease the accident
frequency at the junction
A combination of the above mentioned factors exist at the intersection
 Types of traffic signals
 Fixed time signals: Green periods and cycle lengths are pre-determined with fixed duration.
 Advantages:
1. Simple construction
2. Inexpensive
 Disadvantages:
1. Inflexible
2. Cause avoidable delay

Vehicle actuated signals: Green periods vary and are related to actual demands made by
traffic.
Advantages:
1. Flexible to adjust according to traffic demand.
2. Delay is minimized to attain maximum capacity.
 Disadvantages:
1. Require costly equipments such as detectors.
 Types of traffic signals
Semi actuated signals: Detectors are located only on the main roads.
Advantages:
1. Useful for junctions of a low traffic volume.
Disadvantages:
1. High traffic accidents at times of light traffic.
 Definitions of terms used in traffic signal design
• Cycle: The period of time required for one
complete sequence of signal indications.
• Phase: Part of cycle allocated to one or
combination of movements
• Interval: Discrete portion of signal cycle
during which an indication remains unchanged
• Green interval: It is the green indication for a particular movement or set
of movements. This is the actual duration the green light of a traffic signal
is turned on.
• Red Interval: It is the red indication for a particular movement or set of
movements This is the actual duration the red light of a traffic signal is
turned on.
• Change interval: It is also called the amber time indicates the interval
between the green and red signal indications for an approach.
• Clearance interval: It is also called all red time and is provided after each
yellow interval indicating a period during which all signal faces show red
and is used for clearing off the vehicles in the intersection.
• Lost time: It indicates the time during which the intersection is not
effectively utilized for any movement. For example, when the signal for
an approach turns from red to green, driver of the vehicle which is in the
front of the queue, will take some time to perceive the signal (usually
called as reaction time) and some time will be lost before vehicle
actually moves and gains speed.
Lost time per cycle = Lost time per phase x number of phase
• Saturation Flow (s): The maximum rate of flow of vehicles that can
pass through the intersection per unit time of effective green expressed
in PCU/hr.
• Observed Volume(q): The normal number of vehicles on a lane per unit time.
•Critical Flow Ratio (y): It is the ratio of observed volume to saturation flow
For 2 phase, we get 𝑦1 , 𝑦2
For 4 phase, we get 𝑦1 , 𝑦2 , 𝑦3 , 𝑦4
• Optimum Cycle Time, 𝐂𝐨 (By Webster’s method)
𝟏−
��=
� 𝟏.𝟓𝐋+𝟓
Where,𝐘L = Total lost time per cycle in
�

seconds L = l n +R
l is lost time per phase and is usually taken as
2 seconds.
nTherefore,
= numberLof= phase Green time, G =
2n +R
R = all red time A = Amber time = 2s
Y = 𝑦1 + 𝑦2 + 𝑦3
𝑦1 1 𝑦𝑛
+…..+
𝑠
= 𝑞1
Problem 1
An isolated three phase traffic signal is designed by websters method. The critical flow ratios are 0.2, 0.3, 0.25
respectively. Lost time per phase is 4sec. Determine
i. Optimum cycle length
ii. Green interval

1.5 X 12
𝑦1 = Co
Given,
+51−0.7
= 92s
𝑦2 = 0.3 = 5

𝑦3=
0.2

0.25
l = 4s
n=
� �= 𝟏−
3��𝟏.𝟓𝐋+𝟓
L = l n𝐘+R = 4 x 3 = 12s
Y = 𝑦1 + 𝑦2 + 𝑦3 = 0.2+0.3+0.25 =
0.75
Problem 2
The average normal flow of traffic on cross roads A and B during design period are 540and 420PCU/hr. The saturation
flow values on the roads A and B are estimated as 1400 and 1180 PCU/hr respectively. The all red time required for
pedestrian crossing is 12s. Design 2 phase traffic signal by webster’s method?

𝟏−
𝑞1 = 540
Given, ��=
�𝟏.𝟓𝐋+𝟓
L = l n𝐘+R = 2x2 + 12= 16s
Y = 𝑦1 + 𝑦2 = 0.386+0.356 =
�

𝑞2= 420PCU/hr
PCU/hr 0.742

𝑠
1.5 X 16 +5
𝑠21== 1180PCU/hr
= 1−0.74
C0

𝑦1 � = 140
2
�1 54
1400PCU/hr
0
𝑠
= 0.386
𝑦= =
�21 0
=112s

2 420
=
𝑠2
� = 0.356
R= 1180
12s
l=2
n=2
Phase Diagram Signal Timing Diagram
B

Phase I
A

Phase II
A