Traffic control devices

Medium of communication between traffic engineer and road users

Types
Traffic signs
Road Marking
Traffic signals
Parking Control

Purpose

To promote highway safety and efficiency by providing for the orderly

movement of all road users
Traffic control devices notify road users of regulations and provide
warning and guidance needed for the reasonably safe, uniform, and
efficient operation of all elements of the traffic stream

Traffic Signs
A traffic sign is defined as a device mounted on a fixed or portable support
whereby a specific message is conveyed by means of words or symbols.
The three main functions of traffic signs are to regulate, warn and inform.
There is a different group of signs for each function, and the signs in each
group have a uniform shape to help drivers recognize them quickly. The
three groups are:
Regulatory Signs. These signs give orders. They tell drivers what
they must not do (prohibitory), or what they must do (mandatory).
Most of them take the form of a circular disc, although two signs, the
Stop sign and the Give Way sign, have distinctive individual shapes.
Warning Signs. These warn drivers of some danger or difficulty on
the road ahead. Most of them take the form of an equilateral triangle
with its apex uppermost.
Information Signs. Most of these signs give drivers information to
enable them to find their way to their destination. It is a varied group
of signs, but they are all either square or rectangular in shape.
 TRAFFIC SIGNS MANUAL

Lane marking
Traffic markings are all lines, patterns, symbols, words, colors, or other
devices, except signs and power-operated traffic control devices, set into
the surface of, applied upon, or attached to the pavement or curbing and
placed for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.
1. Display regulations (no passing zones, curb parking
restrictions)
2. Supplement other devices ( STOP lines, symbol arrows)
3. Guide traffic (lane lines, rout number)
4. Warn traffic (SIGNAL AHEAD, rail-highway crossing legend)

Traffic signal and signal design

The conflicts arising from movements of traffic in different directions is
addressed by time sharing principle. The advantages of traffic signal includes
an orderly movement of traffic, an increased capacity of the intersection and
requires only simple geometric design. However, the disadvantages of the
signalized intersection are large stopped delays, and complexity in the
design and implementation. Although the overall delay may be lesser than a
rotary for a high volume, a user may experience relatively high stopped
delay.

Advantages of signal

1. Provide orderly movement of traffic

2. Increase the capacity of at-grade intersections
3. Reduce accident specially right angled collision
4. Safety for pedestrians
5. Allow crossing of heavy vehicle with safety
6. Vehicle can maintain reasonable speed
7. More economical than manual operation

Disadvantages

1. Increase in rear-end collision can take place

2. Improper design may lead to violation of signal system
3. Failure due to electricity supply

Warrants of installation of signal

Warrant 1 MINIMUM VEHICULAR VOLUME

This warrant requires a minimum number of vehicles on both the major street and cross street
for each of any eight hours during the day. Generally average traffic volume for eight hours on
both approaches should be at least 650 motor vehicles per hour on major street with single lane
and 800 vehicle on the street with two or more lane.
Warrant 2 INTERRUPTION OF CONTINUOUS TRAFFIC
Provides for situations where a very high volume of major street traffic restricts entry of cross
street traffic causing excessive delay.
Warrant 3 MINIMUM PEDESTRIAN VOLUME
Occasionally a situation arises where very high pedestrian activity conflicts with high traffic
volumes i.e it is greater than 150.
Warrant 4 SCHOOL CROSSING
Warrant 4 provides minimum installation guidelines for traffic signals at established school
crossing locations based on the number of children utilizing the crossing and the availability of
adequate gaps in the traffic stream during crossing periods.
Warrant 5 PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT
 Between two widely spaced signals in a system, an intermediate traffic signal, properly
located, may serve to regulate the size and speed of the traffic platoon. A signal maybe
installed under this warrant if vehicle speeds vary and volumes are high.
Warrant 6 CRASH EXPERIENCE
Certain conditions at an intersection may result in a high incidence of right-angle
crashes. This warrant provides for a reduction in the number of vehicles required under other
warrants.
Warrant 7 COMBINATION OF WARRANTS
Warrant 8 says when several of the preceding conditions are nearly satisfied, a signal may
provide the best solution at the intersection.
Types of traffic signals
There are two primary types of traffic signal control used fixed or pre-timed signal
operation and actuated signal operation.

1) Pre-timed traffic signals

At pre-timed traffic signals each signal phase or traffic movement is serviced in a
programmed sequence that is repeated throughout the day. Main street traffic
receives a fixed amount of green time followed by the amber and red clearance
intervals. The same interval timing is then repeated for the minor or side street

2) Actuated signal
Actuated signal control differs from pre-timed in that it requires actuation by a
vehicle or pedestrian in order for certain phases or traffic movements to be
serviced. Actuation is achieved by vehicle detection devices and pedestrian push
buttons. The most common method of detecting vehicles is to install inductive
loop wires in the pavement at or near the painted stop bar. Video detection is also
used at select locations. Actuated signals consist of two types : semi-actuated and
fully-actuated.

Some basic terms in signal design

1. Cycle: A signal cycle is one complete rotation through all of the indications provided.
2. Cycle length: Cycle length is the time in seconds that it takes a signal to complete one full
cycle of indications. It indicates the time interval between the starting of green for one
approach till the next time the green starts. It is given by the symbol "C".

3. Interval: It indicates the change from one stage to another. There are two types of intervals
change interval and clearance interval. Change interval which is also called the yellow time
 indicates the interval between the green and red signal indications for an approach. Clearance
interval which is also called "all red" is included after each yellow interval indicating a period
during which all signal faces.

4. Green interval: It is the green indication for a particular movement or set of movements and is
denoted by G

5. Red interval: It is the red indication for a particular movement or set of movements and is
denoted by R
6. Phase: A phase is the green interval plus the change and clearance intervals that follow it. Thus
it is the assigning of conflicting movements into separate groups. It allows a set of movements
to flow and safely halt the flow before another set of movements.