5/31/2025

Unit III: Traffic Control and Management (8hrs)

3.1 Types of Intersections: priority junctions, channelized, rotary and roundabouts and grade
separated
3.2 Intersection control and design principles
3.3 Traffic control devices: traffic sign, marking and Islands
3.4 Warrants and design of traffic signal
3.5 Traffic calming measures
3.6 Design of street lighting
3.7 Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)

Road Intersection
• Intersection is an area shared by two or more roads. This area is designated for the vehicles to turn to
different directions to reach their desired destinations.
• Its main function is to guide vehicles to their respective directions.
Basic Requirements
i. The area of conflict should be small at the
intersection.
ii. The relative speed and the angle of approach of
vehicle should be small.
iii. Sufficient visibility for vehicles approaching.
iv. Sudden change of paths should be avoided.
v. Geometric features (pavement width, turning radius)
should be adequately provided
vi. Proper sign to warn the drivers should be provided
vii. Separate provision for the pedestrians and cyclist
should be provided.
viii. Proper Night light.

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Intersection Control Strategy

1. Right of way Rule: Approaching first has right of way. If arrives at same time- straight going vehicle, vehicle
on major road.
2. Stop Sign: All vehicle first stop then proceed.
3. Yield Sign: Give the way sign. Conflict Points
4. Manual Control: Traffic Police
5. Signalization: Green light-right of way.
6. Street Closure: No entry sign.

Types of Intersections
A. Intersection at Grade: Joins, Crosses and diverse at same level.
B. Grade Separated Intersection: Grade-separated intersections are provided to separate the traffic in the vertical
grade.

A. Intersection at Grade
1) Priority Junctions
• A priority intersection occurs between two roads, one termed the ‘major’ road and the other the ‘minor’ road.
• The major road is the one assigned a permanent priority of traffic movement over that of the minor road. The
minor road must give priority to the major road with traffic from it only entering the major road when appropriate
gaps appear.
• The principal advantage of this type of junction is that the traffic on the major route is
not delayed.
• The three basic types of major/minor priority junction on single carriageways are:
a) Simple Junction : A T- or staggered junction without any ghost or physical islands in the major road, and
without channelising islands in the minor road approach
b) Ghost Island Junction : An at-grade junction, usually a T- or staggered junction, within which an area is marked
on the carriageway, shaped and located so as to direct traffic movement
c) Single Lane Dualling : An at-grade junction, usually a T- or staggered junction, within which central reservation
islands are shaped and located so as to direct traffic movement

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In addition, there are four basic configurations.

Crossroads : An at-grade junction of two roads that cross approximately at right angles (Fig 1/4).

T-Junction: An at-grade junction of two roads, at which the minor road joins the major road approximately at right
angles (Fig 1/1).

Skew or Y-Junction: An at-grade junction of two roads, at which the minor road approaches the major road at an
oblique angle and terminates at the junction (Fig 1/5).

Staggered Junctions: An at-grade junction of three roads, at which the major road is continuous through the
junction, and the minor roads connect with the major road so as to form two opposed T-junctions (Fig 1/6)

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2) Channelized Intersection
• Vehicles approaching an intersection are directed to definite paths by islands, marking etc. and this method of
control is called channelization.
• Channelized intersection provides more safety and efficiency.
• It reduces the number of possible conflicts by reducing the area of conflicts available in the carriageway.
• The presence of traffic islands, markings etc. forces the driver to reduce the speed. channelizing island also serves
as a refuge for pedestrians and makes pedestrian crossing safer.
Advantage of Channelized Intersection:
1. Vehicles are confined to definite path.
2. Reduction of conflict area and conflict point.
3. Speed control of approaching vehicle.
4. Refuse pedestrian to use paved area.
5. Place for installation of Traffic Signal.
6. Blockage of Prohibited movement.

Disadvantages:
1. Large area
2. Difficult design
3. Travel time increment

3) Unchannelized Intersection
• An unchannelized intersection is one without island for directing traffic into definite path.In this type of
intersection there is no provision of any direction island or central island.
• Unchannelized intersections are most dangerous and inefficient.
• Intersecting area is paved and there is absolutely no restriction to vehicles to use part of intersection area.

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4) Rotary and Roundabout Intersection

A rotary Intersection is a specialized form of at grade intersection layout for movement of traffic in one direction
round a central island in clockwise direction to eliminate the necessity of stopping by eliminating crossing through
merging and diverging.
Advantages:
1. Orderly and regimented flow.
2. Continuous and uniform flow
3. No Crossing of vehicle
4. Easy and clear turning
5. Best Suitable for 5 or more intersecting legs.
6. Self governing system i.e. no signalization.
7. Highest traffic capacity up to 3000 vehicle per hour from all intersecting legs.
Disadvantages:
1. Difficult to manage if traffic density exceed capacity.
2. Large area coverage and flat topography requirement.
3. Even when low traffic, vehicle are forced to slow down
4. No stage development provision.

Design Requirements for Rotary Intersection:

1. Volume of traffic should more or less equal in all intersecting legs.
2. Minimum Flow should be 500 and maximum flow should be 3000 vehicle/hour from all intersecting legs.
3. The proportion of turning traffic is high.
4. Four or more intersecting legs requirement.
5. Other approach provision impossible.

Design Factors/Elements (IRC Guidelines)

1. Design Speed: Urban-30 Kmph, Rural -40 Kmph
2. Radius at Entry: 15-20 m for urban, 20-25m rural
3. Radius at exit: 1.5-2 times radius of entry
4. Radius at central Island: 1.33 times of radius of entry
5. Weaving Length: Minimum length of weaving length to weaving width is 4:1.(Weaving Length is 30-60m for
urban and 45- 90m for rural)
6. Width of carriage way at entry and exit: Minimum 5m+Extrawidening(0.75m)
7. Width of carriageway at weaving section: (el+e2)/2+3.5m

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8. Entry and Exit angle: 60° at Entry and 30° at exit.

9. Super elevation: Maximum 7%.
10. Capacity of rotary:

B. Grade Separated Intersection

• These are provided to separate the traffic in the vertical grade: roads are separated at different levels.
• Eg: Flyovers (Overpass & Underpass) and Interchange.
Advantages of Grade Separation
1. Eliminates the stopping of vehicles while crossing the roads.
2. Provides safety and reduces the risk of accidents.
3. Speed-limits for grade-separated roads are generally higher hence, high speeds can be maintained at
intersections which results in saving of travel time.
4. Can be provide for all likely angles of any two intersecting roads.
Disadvantages of Grade Separation
1. Grade separation and interchange construction require a lot of money and land.
2. Construction and design of grade separations and interchanges is complicated and requires skilled professionals.
3. Cloverleaf, stack interchange types may tender confusion for road users while interchanging roads. Hence, the
driver should know the direction of each interchange ramp.

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Some Grade Separated Intersections

1. Trumpet interchange:
Trumpet interchange is a popular form of three leg interchange. If one of the legs of the interchange meets a highway
at some angle but does not cross it, then the interchange is called trumpet interchange.

2. Diamond interchange:
Diamond interchange is a popular form of four-leg interchange found in the urban locations where major and minor
roads crosses. The important feature of this interchange is that it can be designed even if the major road is relatively
narrow.

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3. Clover leaf Interchange:

It is also a two-level four leg interchange and is used when two highways of high volume and speed intersect each
other with considerable turning movements. The main advantage of cloverleaf intersection is that it provides
complete separation of traffic. In addition, high speed at intersections can be achieved.

3. Half cloverleaf interchange

• When a major road crosses a minor road (not more than 3 lanes),
it is possible to provide a partial cloverleaf. Partial cloverleaf for
major-minor road crossing.

4.Rotary interchange
A rotary interchange is a form of 4 leg interchange and can be used for multi leg interchange. The major road
straight through traffic is separated. The roundabout is designed to cope with all the traffic except traffic. The major
road through traffic which uses the flyover.
Advantages
• It occupies relatively less land area.
• The carriageway area is also less than many other types.
• U-turns are easy.
• Suitable for most sites.
Disadvantages
• The capacity is limited by the capacity of the roundabout itself.
• The straight through traffic on one road is required to weave with turning traffic from the other road.

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4. Directional interchanges
Directional interchanges generally have more than one highway grade separation with direct or semi direct
connections of ramps for the major right turning traffic. These interchanges are rather complex and involve
complicated multi-level structures

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Traffic control devices

• Various aids and devices used to control, regulate and guide traffic may be called as traffic control devices
• General requirements
- Attention
- Meaning
- Time for response
- Respect of road users
• Major traffic control devices
- Signs
- Signals
- Markings
- Islands
Traffic Signs
• Traffic sign is a measure to convey specific information to the driver quite in advance, so that s/he may become
careful.

• Functions:
 They give timely warning of hazardous situations.
 They are of great help in regulating traffic by imparting messages to the drivers about the need to stop, give way
and limit their speeds.
 They give information as highway, route, directions and points of intersect.
• Sign should be placed such that they could seen and recognized by the road users easily and in time.
• Location is about 0.5m away from kerb edge
• On roads without kerb the nearest edge may be 2.0m to 3.0m from the edge of carriageway
• Sign posts painted with 25cm black and white bands
• Traffic signs can be categorized as
1. Regulatory signs
- Mandatory signs - stop, yield
- Prohibitory signs - no entry, no parking, one way
2. Warning (cautionary) signs
3. Informatory signs

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Regulatory signs
• Regulatory signs are meant to inform the road users of certain laws, regulations and prohibitions; the violation of
these signs is a legal offence.
• 33 types of sign (A1 to A33) is defined by Traffic Sign Manual.
• Major regulatory signs
- Stop and give way signs
- Prohibitory signs
- No parking and no stopping signs
- Speed limit and vehicle control signs
- Restriction ends sign
- Compulsory direction control and other signs
Warning signs
• Warning or cautionary signs are used to warn the road users of certain hazardous conditions that exist on or
adjacent to the roadway
• In the shape of equilateral triangle with its apex pointing upward
• Have white background, red barrier and black symbols

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• Should be located in the sufficient distance in advance of the hazardous situation

• The distances are 120, 90, 60 and 40m resp. on National or state highway, major district roads, other district road
and village road; on urban road this distance is 50
• Commonly used warning signs - right/left hand curve, right/left hair pin bend, narrow bridge, slippery road,
cycle/pedestrian crossing, school zone, Y/T intersection, falling rock, round about, hump, barrier etc.
• 48 types of Warning signs (B01 - B48)
Informatory signs
• Used to guide the road users along routes, inform them to the destination and distance and provide with the
information to make travel easier, safe and pleasant.
• Signs are rectangular with blue background and white/black letters/symbols
• Can be categorized into
- Direction and place identification signs - Facility information signs
- Other useful information signs
- Parking signs
- Flood gauge

Traffic Sign Manual (Vol-1)

Prepared By:
Traffic Engineering And Safety Unit
Design Branch, Department Of Roads
Ministry Of Works And Transport

Road marking
• Certain lines, patterns, words, symbols or reflectors on the pavement, kerb, side of islands or on fixed objects
within or near the roadway
• Required on important roads, curvatures and intersections to promote road safety and ensure easy flow of traffic

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• Various types of road markings

1. Pavement Marking
• Centre line marking
• Lane line
• No passing zone marking
• Turn marking
• Stop lines
• Cross walk lines
• Approach to obstruction
• Parking space limits

2. Kerb marking

3. Object marking

4. Reflector unit markings

Pavement marking
• Generally of white paints
• Yellow line marking are used to indicate parking restrictions and for continuous center line and barrier line
marking
• Longitudinal solid lines are used as guiding or regulating lines and are not meant to be crossed by the driver
• Transverse solid lines indicate the position of stop lines for vehicular traffic

Kerb Marking
• Road kerbs at straight roads are marked properly to indicate pavement limit.

Object Marking
• Hazardous obstructions like signs, signals, level crossing gates, traffic islands, narrow bridge, culverts etc should
be clearly marked.

Reflector Unit
• Hazardous obstructions are indicated by fixing reflector units reflecting yellow light at night. Light of reflector
unit should be visible from a distance of about 150m.

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Traffic islands
• Raised area constructed within the roadway to establish physical channels through which the vehicular traffic
may be guided
Benefits
- Reduce conflict area
- Control speed
- Control angle of conflict
- Prevent prohibited movements
- Protect right turning vehicles
- Pedestrian refuge
- Can be put sign and signals
- Serves for lighting

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Types
1. Divisional islands - also called median island, it separate opposing flow of traffic in roads having
more than 4 lanes, possibility of head on collision and other accidents are reduced
2. Channelizing islands - used to guide traffic into proper channel, normally triangular in shape,
particularly useful at intersections having large areas
3. Central /Rotary islands - enlarged highway intersection where all the approaching vehicles are
forced to move around a large centrally situated island before weave out into desired road
4. Pedestrian loading islands - at regular bus stops and similar places

Traffic Signal
• Traffic signal are control devices which could alternately direct the traffic to stop and proceed at
intersections using red and green traffic light signals.
• Main requirements of signals are to draw attention, provide meaning and time to respond and to have
minimum waste of time
Types of traffic signals
1. Traffic control signals
• Fixed time signal
• Manually operated signal
• Traffic actuated(automatic) signal
2. Pedestrian signal
3. Special traffic signal (Flashing Beacon)
Vehicle Control Traffic Signal: 3 color lights indicators
• Red Light: Traffic is prohibited from proceeding beyond the stop line.
• Green Light: Vehicular traffic may proceed beyond the stop line and may turn in any direction, subject to
normal priority rules being observed and provided that the turn is not prohibited by a supplementary light
signal.

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Amber Light: Conveys same prohibition as red signals except where vehicles are so close to the stop line that
they cannot safely stop before stop line, they should proceed

Pedestrian Control Traffic Signal:

Red Standing man: Pedestrian are prohibited from crossing the road
Green Walking man: Pedestrian may cross the road with care.
Flashing Green man: Pedestrian are prohibited from crossing the road except where they have started to cross
the road, in which case they should continue to cross the road.

Advantages of the traffic signals

- Increase in the traffic handling capacity of road junction
- Improvement of quality of traffic flow
- Safe crossing of the vehicles
- Help to reduce accidents
- Permit pedestrians to cross safely
- Economical compared to the manual method - Provide orderly movement of vehicles
- When the signal system is coordinated, there is reasonable speed along the major road traffic

Limitations/disadvantages
- Rear-end collision may increase
- Improper design may cause violation of the control system (vehicle actuated signal system)
- Stops working due to electric power
- Confusion for the road users if not working properly

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Various terms used in traffic signals

• Cycle
- The period of time required for one complete sequence of signal indicators
• Phase
- A part of the signal cycle allocated to a traffic movement of a combination of the traffic movement is called
phase
• Interval
- Any of the division of the signal cycle during which signal indication do not change
• Queue length
- The level of service is measured by the vehicle delay, the queue length.
• Level of service
-The engineer has to design the signal with the sequence and duration of individual phases to serve all
approaching traffic at a desired level of service

Warrants for signal installation

• Traffic control signal should not be installed unless one or more of the following warrants are met
- Minimum vehicular volume
• Avg. traffic volume for 8hr on both approaches should be at least 650 veh/hr on major street with single
lane and 800veh/hr on street with more 2 or more lanes
• Minor street - one direction, at least 200veh/hr on single lane street and 250veh/hr with 2 or more lanes
- Interruption of continuous flow
• Flow on the major street with 1000 to 1200 veh/hr that there is undue (unwanted/excessive) delay or
hazard to traffic on minor road with a traffic of 100 to 150veh/hr in one direction only during any 8hr of an
average day
- Minimum pedestrian volume warrant
• 150 or more pedestrians per hour cross a major street with over 600 veh/hr on both approaches
- Accident experience warrant
• 5 or more accidents occurred within 12 months
- Combination of warrants
• When no signal warrant is justified but indicating two or more warrants of I, II or III above are satisfied to the
extent of 80% or more of the stated volume

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Signal Design
1. Trial cycle method
2. Approximate method
3. Webster's method
4. IRC Guideline for signal design

General Design Data for Signal Design

1. Cycle length for two phase signal is mostly 40 to 60 seconds
2. Timing of yellow or amber color varies from 3 to 5 seconds, higher values being adopted for higher speed.
Timing for green light may be nearly 20 seconds.
3. Timing for red light is slightly less than that of green.
4. Clearance of pedestrian time is calculated on the basis of pedestrian walking speed considered as 1.2 m/s.

1. Trial Cycle Signal Design

Principle of Signal Design
• Let A and B are two roads intersecting at a point and it is required to design cycle length for the
intersection.
1. For 15 minutes take traffic counts on roads A and B, simultaneously at the same intersection.
2. Let N1, and N2 be traffic count of 15 minutes on roads A and B respectively.
3. Assume trial cycle length of C seconds.
4. Based on assumed value of C, calculate the number of cycles in 15 minutes period as follow:
15 ∗ 60 900
=
𝐶 𝐶
5. Assume 2.5 seconds headway time and calculate Green light periods GA, and GB for roads A and B
respectively as:
. ∗ ∗ . ∗ ∗
𝐺𝐴 = and GB =
Assume yellow (amber) period YA, and YB, for A and B roads.
6. Calculate the cycle time,
C=GA + GB+YA+YB
7. If the calculated cycle length C works out approximately equals to the assumed cycle C, the cycle length is
accepted as design cycle, otherwise trials are repeated again.
8. Draw Phase Diagram after completion.

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2. Approximate Method (based on Pedestrian Crossing Time)

• This method is on the basis of pedestrian crossing time. Here, we are considering two phase signal unit together with pedestrian
signal.
• Let A and B be two cross roads with traffic volume na and nb (na,>nb) respectively. Then proceed as follow:
a. Assume amber period Aa and Ab for road A and B respectively as:
• For low Speed (upto 50Kmph) = 3 secs
• For Medium Speed (50-60 Kmph) = 4 secs
• For Higher speed (65-80 Kmph) = 5 secs
b. Taking pedestrian travel speed (vw) of 1.2 m/sec. find pedestrian clearance time pa and pb for Road A and B with width wa & wb
as:
𝑝𝑎 = = and 𝑝𝑏 = =
c. Calculate minimum red timing ra and rb taking pedestrian crossing time for crossing plus initial interval for pedestrian to start
crossing.
i.e ra = Pa + 7 sec; rb = Pb+7 sec
d. Also Minimum Red time is equal to minimum Green of cross road plus amber for cross road. If ga and gb are minimum green
timing for road A and B resp. then:
ra =gb+Ab, and rb = ga + Aa
So, gb = ra - Ab, and ga = rb - Aa

e. Based on approach volume, Green time calculated for Road A with higher traffic volume using:
𝑔 𝑎 𝑛𝑎
=
𝑔 𝑏 𝑛𝑏
𝑔𝑎 = * gb
f. Calculate Total Cycle Length as: C' = ga + Aa + ra = ga + Aa+ (gb+Ab) Adopt Cycle Length (C) by rounding off.
So, extra length is added for total cycle (∆C) = C-C'
g. Apply Correction for Ga and Gb to calculate corrected Green Timing as:
𝐺𝑎 = 𝑔𝑎 + *∆𝐶 and 𝐺𝑏 = 𝑔𝑏 + *∆𝐶
h. Calculate Correct Red Time Ra and Rb as: Ra = Gb +Ab and Rb = Ga + Aa
i. Design of Pedestrian Signals (PS):
Let DWa and DWb be Do not walk periods and Wa and Wb are Walk periods for Road A and B:
Then,
Dwa = Rb and DWb = Ra
Wa = C-(DWa +pa) and Wb = C-(DWb +pb)
j. Draw Phase diagram.

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3. Webster Method
• This is the rational method. Here Optimum Signal Cycle Co corresponding to least delay at the signalized intersection is
worked out. This method also considers pedestrian crossing time.
• Let A and B be the two cross roads. Then proceed as follows:
a. From the field work, determine the average normal flows na and nb (na,>nb) during design period and saturation flow Sa
and Sb for Road A and B resp.
b. Find Ratio of average normal flow and saturated flow
𝑦𝑎 = and yb =
[for mixed traffic convert all into PCU]
[Note: in absence of data for saturation flow consider that 160 PCU/0.3m width of approach road]
c. Take all red time for pedestrian crossing (R) as 10-15 sec. If n is no of phases for design and L is total lost time, then: L =
2n + R
d. Now, the optimum signal cycle (Co) is given by :
1.5𝐿 + 5
𝐶𝑜 = , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑦 = 𝑦𝑎 + 𝑦𝑏
1−𝑦
[Adopt suitable round off value]

e. Find green timing Ga & Gb for Road A & B as:

𝐺𝑎 = (𝐶 − 𝐿) and 𝐺𝑏 = (𝐶 − 𝐿)
f. Provide amber timing Aa & Ab = 2sec for each
g. Calculate Red Timing Ra and Rb as:
Ra = C-(Ga + Aa) and Rb = C-(Gb+ Ab)
h. Draw the Phase Diagram.

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Highway Lighting
• The rate of highway accidents and fatalities that occur during night driving is several times higher in terms of
vehicle kilometer than that during day driving.
• One of the various causes of increased accident rate during night may be attributed to poor night visibility.
• Road lighting is more important at intersections, bridge site, level crossings and in places where there is
restriction of traffic movements.
• Lighting on rural roads has not yet become common, evidently due to the cost consideration and less number of
pedestrians and other slow traffic using the facility at night.
• On urban roads where the density of population is also high, road lighting has other advantages like feeling of
security and protection.
Importance of road lighting
i. To reduce accidents in night driving which are caused by insufficient lighting
ii. To see accurately and easily the carriageway and the immediate surroundings in darkness.
iii. To avoid glare effect
iv. To ensure comfort and confident driving
v. Indirect benefit: Reduction in crime, feeling security, improves aesthetic appearance and extension of business
hour after sunset.

Some Definition
a. Illumination - is the measure of the amount of the light flux which falls on the surface
b. Luminous flux (F) -the radiant power given by light source
c. Lumen- the unit of luminous flux.
d. Luminous Intensity - the Luminous flux emitted per solid angle
e. Candela - Unit of Luminous Intensity
f. Lantern - Group of lamps
g. Outreach - the distance measure horizontally between the center of the lantern and the center of the wall/column
h. Overhang - the distance measure horizontally between the center of the lantern and the center of the
carriageway
i. Mounting Height - the distance (height) between the center of the lantern and the carriageway

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Factors affecting night visibility

i. Amount and distribution of light flux from the lamps.
ii. Size of object
iii. Brightness of object
iv. Brightness of the background
v. Reflecting characteristics of pavement surface
vi. Glare on the eyes of the driver
vii. Time available to see an object

Requirements of level of illumination

• Distribution should be downward
• It should produce maximum uniformity of pavement brightness
• It should cover the adjacent area 3-5 m beyond the pavement edge.
• For main highways 30 lux, for main roads 15 lux and for secondary roads 4-8 lux.
* Illumination (E) is the luminous flux incident per unit area upon a point on a surface.
• The unit of illumination in the metric system is lux or lumen per square meter.

Types of Lights
• The choice of lights is governed by life, wattage, brightness, efficiency, color and initial act.
• The following are the important types available:
i. Tungsten filament lights
ii. Tubular fluorescent lights
iii. Sodium-vapour lamps
iv. High-pressure mercury-vapour lamps.
i. Tungsten Filament Lights
• These are the familiar and inexpensive type; their use is limited to minor streets/walkways.
• They have very low efficiency 8 to 14 lumens per watt, and have relatively short life.
• When cost becomes the main criterion, this is the automatic choice, but the life is only for about 1000 hours.

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ii. Tubular Fluorescent Lights

• Fluorescent lights are long narrow tubes with fluorescent coating on their inner surface.
• With the excitation of the fluorescent powder by an electric discharge at low pressures, a bright white light is
emitted.
• The wattage is low and the efficiency is high-50-75 lumens per watt.
• Their life extent is higher and can last for about 6000 hrs. They are preferred for business streets which require
good colour- rendering properties.

iii. Sodium Vapour Lamps:

• These lamps work on the principle of electric discharge through sodium vapour.
• There are two types-low- pressure discharge and high-pressure discharge; the former emits monochromatic
yellow light, with the absence of dazzle, while the latter gives white light.
• The wattage of the low-pressure variety is 120 to 160, with an efficiency of 120 lumens per watt; the high-
pressure variety has a wattage of 400, with an efficiency 100 lumens per watt.
• Life of about 8000 hours.
• Mostly used in Urban Streets of Nepal

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iv. High-Pressure Mercury-Vapour Lamps

• Mercury vapour discharge lamps have a wattage of 400, efficiency of 23-60 lumens per watt, and a life of 7500
hours. They emit a brilliant greenish white colour.

Luminaire Distribution of Light

• To have best utility of the luminaire or source of light, it is necessary to have proper distribution of light and should be
downward to have maximum uniformity of pavement brightness.
Types of distribution
 Type-1: center mounting over streets up to 2 mounting heights, narrow roads
 Type-II : mounting over curb line of narrow roads widths less than 1.5 mounting height
 Type-III: mounting over curb line of street widths less than 2 mounting height; for medium width roads
 Type - IV: mounting over curb line of street widths greater than 2 mounting height, for very wide highways
 Type-V: design to distribute light equally in lateral direction, for center of highway and intersection

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Design of street lighting system

1. Height of mounting:
• Usually mounting height is 6-10m for urban roads.
2. Selection of types of lamps:
• Filament bulbs are used for minor street and pedestrian walkways
• Fluorescent light used for shopping street but they have short lamp life.
• High-pressure sodium light produce excellent luminous efficiency, long life and acceptable color.
• Low pressure sodium light used in tunnels and on roads where high illumination levels and more uniform lights
are required.
3. Spacing of lamps:
• In general spacing should be 35-45m and should not exceed 55m.
• Rough guide; Spacing should be 3-5 times of mounting height.
• Spacing may be determined by the quality of illumination needed on different street.
Lamp lumen ∗ Coefficient of utilization ∗ Maintenance factor
Spacing =
Average lux ∗ Width of road
-Maintenance factor usually 80%
- Coefficient of utilization is obtained from graph, corresponding to the pavement width & mounting height.

4. Lateral placement:
• Street lighting poles should not be installed close to the pavement edge.
IRC recommended;
 For roads with raised kerbs: min 0.3m (and desirable 0.6 m) from the edge of raised kerb.
 For roads without raised kerbs:- min.1.5m from the edge of the carriageway. (subject to minimum of 5m from
the center line of the carriageway.)

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Lighting Arrangements
• The different types of arrangements are
i. Single-side
ii. Both-sides-staggered
iii. Central
iv. Both-sides-opposite
v. A combination of (iii) and (ii) or (iv)

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