At traffic signals in the UK a red-with-amber signal ('starting amber') dnotes the impending change to green, but conveys the same prohibition as he red signal. It is fixed at two seconds. Practice varies across Europe ith some countries using a starting amber and some not. The period for whch the starting amber is shown also varies by country, most use either on or two seconds. Additionally some European countries have or are consideing reducing the length of the starting amber. The Department for Transpot commissioned TRL to review omitting or reducing the 'starting amber' boh in efficiency and safety terms, compared with the current policy. The rsearch included: an international literature review; previous accident stdies at traffic signals; a review of practice in other countries; stakehoder interviews and questionnaires; video analysis of vehicle, cyclist, an pedestrian response to the current starting amber, and conflict analysis and a TRL Driving Simulator experiment examining driver responses to 0,1 and 2 second starting amber periods. The advantages and disadvantages of a change to the current starting amber policy are assessed,including effects on non-motorised traffic. (Author/publisher).
Abstract