The conventional approach to signal timing optimization and field deployment requires current traffic flow data, experience with optimization models, familiarity with the signal controller hardware, and knowledge of field operations including signal timing fine-tuning. Developing new signal timing parameters for efficient traffic flow is a time-consuming and expensive undertaking. This report examines various cost-effective techniques that can be used to generate good signal timing plans that can be employed when there are insufficient financial resources to generate the plans using conventional techniques. The report identifies a general, eight-step process that leads to new signal plans: 1) Identify System Intersections; 2) Collect and Organize Existing Data; 3) Conduct a Site Survey; 4) Obtain Turning Movement Data; 5) Calculate Local Timing Parameters; 6) Identify Signal Groupings; 7) Calculate Coordination Parameters; and 8) Install and Evaluate New Plans. The report examines each of these steps and identifies procedures that can be used to minimize costs in each step. Special emphasis is placed on the costs of turning movement counts. The report develops a “tool box” of procedures and provides examples of how the tool box can be used when there is a moderate signal timing budget, when there is a modest signal timing budget, and when there is a minimum signal timing budget. (Author/publisher)
Abstract