Example 2

The signal control system of a four-arm junction needs to be upgraded from stop controlled junction
to a signalised junction. The layout of the junction and traffic flow data are shown in Figure Q2
below.

Road width of East-West approach = 7 meters

Road width of North-South = 8 meters
The gradient of East-West = uphill 3%
625 The gradient of North-South = flat
35
The turning radius is 15 meters
545 20 50
46 70
813
60 413
80 20

Figure Q2 Junction Layout and Traffic Flow (veh/h)

The pcu factor may taken as 1 vehicle = 1.2 pcu.

According to ATJ 13/87 method, propose an appropriate design of a fixed-time traffic signal system
without considering the presence of pedestrians at the junction. Use proper assumptions where
applicable and clearly state your assumptions. Show the traffic phase sequence and timing diagrams
for the proposed design. Other adjustment factors are as given in Tables Q2 (a) - (d).

I=R+a

S = 525W

V W '  L' qi
a  yi 
2A V Si

n n n
Y   yi L   Ri   li
i 1 i 1 i 1

1.5L  5
Optimum Cycle Time, CO 
1Y

1
 yi
Effective green, g i  CO  L 
Y

Actual green perio, Gi = gi + l + R

Displayed green period, Ki = Gi – a – R

Table Q2(a) Saturation flow for lane width equal to 5 m or less

W 3.00 3.25 3.50 3.75 4.00 4.25 4.50 4.75 5.00 5.25
S 1845 1860 1885 1915 1965 2075 2210 2375 2560 2760

Table Q2(b) Adjustment factors for the effects of gradient

Adjustment factor, Fg Conditions
0.85 for upgrade 5%
0.88 for upgrade 4%
0.91 for upgrade 3%
0.94 for upgrade 2%
0.97 for upgrade 1%
1.00 for flat road
1.03 for downgrade 1%
1.06 for downgrade 2%
1.09 for downgrade 3%
1.12 for downgrade 4%
1.15 for downgrade 5%

Table Q2(c) Adjustment factors for turning radius effects

Adjustment factor, Ft Conditions
0.85 for turning radius, R  10m
0.90 for turning radius where 10m  R  15m
0.96 for turning radius where 15m  R  30m

Table Q2(d) Adjustment factors for the effects of turning movements

% turning traffic Factor for right-turn, Fr Factor for left-turn, Fl

5 0.96 1.00
10 0.93 1.00
15 0.90 0.99
20 0.87 0.98
25 0.84 0.97
30 0.82 0.95
35 0.79 0.94
40 0.77 0.93
45 0.75 0.92
50 0.73 0.91
55 0.71 0.90
60 0.69 0.89

2
Step:

1) Understand how many phases needed

2) Understand – saturation flow calculation:
(S and S’)
3) Understand – timing setting calculation:
Assumption: a, R, l
Optimum Cycle Time, Co
Green time: gi, Gi, Ki
4) Understand – timing diagram & phase diagram

Solution:

FROM North (N) South (S) East (E) West (W)

TO E S W W N E S W N N E S
(LT) (ST) (RT) (LT) (ST) (RT) (LT) (ST) (RT) (LT) (ST) (RT)
Q 50 650 20 60 813 80 20 413 70 35 545 46
(veh/h)
Q 60 780 24 72 976 96 24 496 84 42 654 55
(pcu/h)

1)

Assume 2-phase system: Phase 1: combination of North & South movements

Phase 2: combination of East & West movements

Check for separate right-turning phase requirements.

Phase 1: Conflict between N-W & S-N = 20 x 813 = 16,260 < 50, 000 OK!

Right-turning volume = 20 < 100 veh/h OK!

Conflict between S-E & N-S = 80 x 650 = 52,000 > 50, 000 NOT OK!

Right-turning volume = 80 < 100 veh/h OK!

Phase 2: Conflict between E-N & W-E = 70 x 545 = 38,150 < 50, 000 OK!

Right-turning volume = 70 < 100 veh/h OK!

Conflict between W-S & E-W = 46 x 413 = 18,998 < 50, 000 OK!

Right-turning volume = 46 < 100 veh/h OK!

3
  2-phase is not suitable (need exclusive right-turning phase for North-South movement)
 Need 3-phase : Alternative A → Phase 1: All movement from North
Phase 2: All movement from South
Phase 3: Combination of movements from East & West

Alternative B → Phase 1: Straight and left-turn from North & South

Phase 2 : Right-turn only from North & South
Phase 3: Combination of movements from East & West

 In this example, use Alternative A.

2)

Phase 1 2 3
From North (N) South (S) East (E) West (W)
To E S W W N E S W N N E S (RT)
(LT) (ST) (RT) (LT) (ST) (RT) (LT) (ST) (RT) (LT) (ST)
Q (veh/h) 50 650 20 60 813 80 20 413 70 35 545 46
Qtotal 720 953 503 626
(veh/h)
q(pcu/h) 60 780 24 72 976 96 24 496 84 42 654 55
qtotal(pcu/h) 864 1144 604 751
S (pcu/h) 525x8 = 4200 4200 525x7 =3675 3675
Fg 1 1 0.91 1.09
Fr 0.96 0.93 0.90 0.93
Fl 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Adjusted S, 4200x1x0.96x1.0= 4200x1x0.93x1.0= 3675x0.91x0.90x1.0= 3675x1.09x0.93x1.0=
S’ 4032 3906 3010 3725
y = q/S’ 864/4032=0.214 1144/3906 = 604/3010= 0.201 751/3725=0.202
0.293
ymax 0.214 0.293 0.202

Y = y1+y2+y3 = 0.214+0.293+0.202 = 0.709 < 0.85, OK

Assumptions:
All-red period, R = 2 sec
Amber, a = 3 seconds
Lost time due to late start, l = 2 seconds

Intergreen period, I = R + a = 2 + 3 = 5 seconds

 I  a    l
3 3
Total lost time per cycle, L = 1 1
= (2+2+2) + (2+2+2)
= 12 seconds

4
 1.5L  5
Optimum Cycle Time, Co =
1Y
1.5(12)  5
=
1  0.709
= 79 seconds

Co must be within the range of 0.75 to 1.50 of the calculated Co

*Use Co = 80 seconds

Effective green time, gi =

yi
Co  L 
Y

Actual green period, Gi = Gi + l +R

Displayed green period, Ki = Gi – a _R