CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Nowadays, there are hundreds of thousands traffic signals in Philippines. They play

an important role in the transportation network and are a source for significant

frustration for the public when not operated efficiently. Traffic signal timings in a road

network can not only affect total user travel time and total amount of traffic emissions in

the network but also create an inequity problem in terms of the change in travel costs of

users traveling between different locations. It offers a potential to prevent traffic

accidents and improve mobility of transportation network by alternatively allocating right

of way. The design of traffic signal timing parameters, such as green time ratio, can

significantly affect the operational efficiency and safety of intersections and the total

amount of traffic emissions in the network. It is, therefore, crucial for the authority to

design the traffic signal timing parameters carefully so as to create a safe, efficient, and

sustainable urban transportation system, particularly in an era of climate change.

Tumaga Road – Gov. Ramos Ave. Intersection is a T-intersection has an installed

traffic signal that shows to be one of the main problems and isn’t working to provide the

traffic a supposed traffic timer for them to have smooth and safe movements. To give

solution to this problem, the researchers aim to determine the right traffic signal timing

in the intersection to control traffic with orderliness and accuracy.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Tumaga Road – Gov. Ave. T intersection was unserviceable, and the traffic sign

system operational timing is dysfunctional. In relation to this, the researchers sought to

develop an accurate traffic signal system following the Traffic Signal Timing Manual by

the Federal Highway Administration and Highway Capacity Manual, and based on the

present-day data, gathered by the researchers firsthand.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The goal of this study is to determine the accurate traffic signal timing based on the

present traffic volume and adapting the steps from the Traffic Signal Timing Manual and

Highway Capacity Manual. Along with this, the following objectives are specified:

a. To determine the traffic volume to be obtained directly from field manual traffic

survey

b. To analyze traffic characteristics such as traffic movements, lane volume, critical

v/c ratio, and delays

c. To theoretically determine the traffic signal timing to provide smooth flow in the

intersection
1.4 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study will focus on developing an accurate traffic signal system for the T-

intersection Intersection in Tumaga Road – Gov. Ramos Ave. The intersection design

and its relationship to the signal timing will be disregarded. Traffic count will be

conducted manually for a 12-hour survey with 15-minute intervals that would be useful

in computing the peak hour factor. There are two outputs that will be presented, AM

traffic signal timing and PM traffic signal timing. The traffic signal system will be

simulated as a model validation and application. The researchers will follow the Traffic

Signal Timing Manual by Federal Highway Administration for the computations and

procedures of the signal timing.

1.5 Significance of the Study

The results of this study can be expected to provide for the orderly and efficient

movement of people, effectively maximize the volume movements served at the

intersection, reduce the frequency and severity of certain types of crashes, and provide

appropriate levels of accessibility for pedestrians and side street traffic.

 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter will discuss the methods and procedures employed in gathering,

classification and interpretation of data in the research study entitled Retiming Traffic

Signals in the Tumaga T-Intersection.

3.1 Research Design

This study will be an evaluative study with surveying approach which is

principally concerned in designing a traffic signal timing based on the traffic

characteristics. We will be analyzing the traffic characteristics, and influence in the

intersection and to perform a traffic simulation. We will use and follow the Traffic Signal

Timing Manual by Federal Highway Administration.

3.2 Research Locale

The research will be conducted at the T-intersection in Tumaga Road – Gov.

Ramos Ave. There are three legs that were connected: Gov. Ramos Ave., Veterans

Ave. Extension, and Tumaga Road.

3.3 Design Procedure

A. Data Collection

Data will gathered from various traffic studies that are related to our research

study and other previous study on designing a three-phased signal system. Traffic count

survey will be conducted manually by the researchers firsthand.

B. Materials

The materials that we will use in this study are as follows:

1. 12-hour traffic count survey data

2. Work sheets on computing lane volume

3. Work sheets on computing signal timing

4. Worksheet on computing critical v/c ratio

5. Worksheet on computing average vehicle delay

6. Synchro Software for traffic simulation

C. Design Procedures

Traffic count Computing of lane Designing the Traffic

surveying volume signal timing

Traffic Signal Timing Computing average Computing of critical

using simulation vehicle delay v/c ratio
a. Traffic Count Surveying

We will conduct a 12-hour traffic count with a 15-minutes interval at two

intersections: Tumaga T-Intersection and Cabato road intersection. We will use the

Turning Movement Count to determine the lane volume and turning movements that

we will need to design traffic signal timing. We will need 14 persons in order to

conduct the 12-hour traffic count.

Figure 1 Cabato Road Intersection

 Figure 2 Tumaga T-Intersection

b. Computing Lane Volume

We will use the lane volume computations to control delay and level of service to

synthesize the signal timing plan.

c. Traffic Signal Design

Traffic signal design is will be divided into six steps:

1. Phasing plan development

2. Computation of critical sum

 3. Estimation of amber time and lost time

4. Determination of peak hour factor

5. Determination of cycle length

6. Assigning of green time

7. Assigning of pedestrian time to walk

d. Critical v/c Ratio

The computational method involves the summation of conflicting critical lane flow

rates for the t-intersection.

Xcm = CS / RS (1-l/c)

Where:

Xcm is critical v/c ratio

CS is critical sum (veh/h)

L is total lost time (s)

C is cycle length (s)

RS is the reference sum (veh/h/In)

e. Computing Vehicle Average Delay

We will be computing delay as it is the most frequent used parameter of

effectiveness for intersections. Uniform queue size and delay computations will be

conducted. Also, values from the previous procedures will be used.

d. Traffic signal timing using simulation: Synchro Software

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter provides an overview of previous research on knowledge sharing

and intranets. It introduces the framework for the case study that comprises the main

focus of the research described in this research.

Road traffic jams continue to remain a major problem in most cities around the

world, especially in developing regions resulting in massive delays, increased fuel

wastage and monetary losses. Due to the poorly planned road networks, a common

outcome in many developing regions is the presence of small critical areas which are

common hot-spots for congestion; poor traffic management around these hotspots

potentially results in elongated traffic jams (Jain, et al., 2012). Traffic light timing is one

of the most practical and cheapest solutions to deal with congestion problem of

intersections in crowded urban areas. Different methods have been introduced in

several types of research for traffic light timing

2.1 Traffic Signal

The origin of traffic control signals can be traced back to the manually operated

semaphores first used in London as early as 1868. The first traffic signal in the United

States was developed with the objective to prevent accidents by alternatively assigning

right of way. The traffic signal has changed significantly since its early development.

Today, there are more than 272,000 traffic signals in the United States. They play an

important role in the transportation network and are a source for significant frustration

for the public when not operated efficiently. As the era of freeway building draws to a

close, urban arterials are being called upon to carry more users than ever before at a

time when the users of these facilities are growing more complex (older drivers, more

distractions, larger vehicles, etc.) and the demand for such use continues to outpace

transportation supply. According to the 2001 Nationwide Personal Transportation

Survey, on average, an individual traveled 40 miles per day, up from approximately 35

in 1990. At the same time, the use of traffic signals at a busy intersection in a typical

urban area might direct the movement of as many as 100,000 vehicles per day. In fact

over ten percent of all intersections in California carry more than 60,000 Average Daily

Traffic (ADT) for movements. It is estimated that many of these signals could be

improved by updating equipment or by simply adjusting and updating the timing plans.

Outdated or poor traffic signal timing accounts for a significant portion of traffic delay on

urban arterials and traffic signal retiming is one of the most cost effective ways to

improve traffic flow and is one of the most basic strategies to help mitigate congestion.

Despite their important role in traffic management, traffic signals, once installed, are

often not proactively managed. Maintenance activities are frequently delayed or

canceled, in reaction to shrinking budgets and staffs. More than half of the signals in

North America are in need of repair, replacement, or upgrading. In 2007, the National

Traffic Signal Report Card was released by the National Transportation Operations

Coalition and consisted of the composite national scores from an agency self-

assessment related to traffic signal control and operations, the responses in five sub

areas indicate an overall national "grade" of D up from a D- in 2005 (Federal Highway

Administration, Signal Timing Manual).

2.2 Traffic Signal Timing

Research and experience has shown that retiming traffic signals is one of the

most cost-effective tasks that an agency can do to improve traffic flow. Traffic flow

improvements of up to 26 percent have been reported. Increasing trend in the number

of vehicles and consequently intensifying the traffic volume, traffic lights optimum timing

plays a vital role in congestion mitigation in the critical intersections of urban areas

(Kamran, et al., 2017). The rapid increase in the number of vehicles is an undeniable

fact that all countries face with it. Moreover, streets and urban areas in third world

countries and even in many developed cities are not designed according to the urban

planning principals and it is difficult to change their road plans because of the high

prices of the famous buildings in downtowns. Therefore, the most feasible solution is to

use new technologies to manage the traffic congestions in populated areas. Improved

traffic signal operation can help reduce intersection crashes (Boston Transportation

Department, 2010).
 According to Federal Highway Administration, traffic signal timing is a critical role

that plays within the overall transportation network. Signal timing offers the opportunity

to improve the mobility and safety of the street system and contribute environmental

benefits.

2.3 Design of Three-phase Signal System at Tumaga T-Intersection

This study focuses on the development of the three-phase signal system for the

T-Intersection in Tumaga Road and Governor Ramos Avenue. A 12-hour traffic survey

was conducted with a 15-minute interval in order to calcute the peak-hour factor. They

made a two design: AM and PM design. The design of the traffic signal system was

simulated using the PTV Vissim software as a model validation and application. They

concluded that the level of service was at level C for both morning and afternoon design

implying stable flow in the intersection.

2.4 Effects of Traffic Signal Retiming

It has long been recognized that traffic signal timing can have an impact on the

safety of the intersection. Some parameters are obvious – Yellow Change and Red

Clearance interval timings are critical to each phase, as are the Walk and Flashing

Don’t Walk pedestrian intervals. Preemption times are also crucial in some situations,

as was demonstrated in the 1995 Fox River Grove, Illinois, crash between a school bus

and a commuter train. And, other controller related parameters can also have an impact
on safety, especially if the expectations of the drivers using the intersection are not met.

What about the coordination parameters for progression along a roadway; how could

they impact the crash history at an intersection? It is intuitive that the smoother the flow

of traffic along an arterial, the “safer” the arterial should be. NCHRP’s Guide for

Reducing Collisions at Signalized Intersections1 defines one strategy as “Employ Signal

Coordination”. Some of the key factors for that strategy in the report included: •

Reducing the number and frequency of required stops and maintaining constant speeds

for all vehicles can help to reduce rear-end conflicts. • Increased platooning can create

more gaps of increased length for permitted vehicle movements (such as permitted left

turns and right turns on red) at intersections and result in improved intersection

operation. • Platooning will contribute to consistent vehicle speeds along a corridor,

which will help reduce rear-end type crashes. The Institute of Transportation Engineers’

Traffic Safety Toolbox2 references two Atlanta area studies of signal coordination

implementation where intersection crash frequencies dropped by 25 and 38 percent. On

one of the two studies, statistically significant reductions were noted for total collisions,

property damage only collisions, personal injury collisions, and right angle, rear end, left

turn, and sideswipe crashes. However, both of these studies were for new system

implementations, i.e., comparing new system timings to isolated, non-interconnected

operation. How much of an impact on safety would a signal “retiming” project make?

This performance measure is not thoroughly addressed for most before-and-after

analyses of system retiming projects. Travel time runs can develop a good indication of

project related Measures of Effectiveness, documenting improvements such as fuel

consumption, delay and travel time, and pollutant emissions, but adequate amounts of
crash data require significant “after” periods of evaluation. The original timing engineer

or consultant may no longer be available or under contract by the end of that time

period, field conditions may have changed along the corridor, or the agency may have

moved its attention on to the latest project. Even the new Highway Safety Manual does

not discuss the potential safety benefits of signal coordination; there is no Crash

Modification Factor (CMF) for signalized intersections or arterial segments that would

address the absence or presence of coordination and platooning on an arterial. There

are numerous CMFs related to change and clearance intervals, and there is one CMF

included in the Crash Modifications Factors Clearinghouse3 that addresses a change in

cycle length in a coordinated system. The informational gap between the intuitive

reasoning that signal coordination will improve traffic safety and the void of statistical

data to support that reasoning is the basis for this paper. Traffic signal retiming could be

a significant safety improvement, but without the supporting cost-effectiveness

information used in accepting and prioritizing safety projects, may be overlooked as a

low cost, easy to implement option (Yauch, 2004).

 Republic of the Philippines
Western Mindanao State Unversity
College of Engineering and Technology
Civil Engineering Department
Normal, Road, Baliwasan, Zamboanga City, 7000

Proposed Title

Effective Geometric Design of Roundabout

in Vitaliano Agan Avenue Intersection, Zamboanga City using PTV Vissim

Jdulia Claire M. Ruiz

Research