Topic 3

Basic Signal Timing and

Coordination Principles

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Signal System Classification

 Traditional Systems
 Closed-Loop (Field Master)
 Centralized Computer Control

 Adaptive

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Signal Timing Process

Data Signal Timing Field

Collection Development Implementation

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Basic Terminology

 Cycle
 Phase Split
 Phasing Sequence
 Offset
 Force-off

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Cycle Length and Split

 Cycle Length
All signals must have a common cycle length
to achieve coordination

 Split
Split = Green + Yellow + All-red

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Signal Coordination

Intersection #1 Intersection #2

East Bound

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Offset

 Offset is the time difference between two

reference points

 Offset must be specified by

 Phase
 Begin/end phase

 Offset = 0 ~ cycle length

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Offset

Local zero Local zero

ф 2,5 ф 1,5

ф 1,5 ф 2,6 ф 4,8 ф 2,6

ф 4,8
ф 3,7

When the local zero occurs at 40 sec of the master clock

We say the Offset = 40 sec

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Time-Space Diagram
One-way Street

G=25 Y=5 R=30

#1
2 8 4 2 8 4
6 6

EB Band

#2 G=35 Y=5 R=20

2 8 4 2
8 4 6 6

Time

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Time-Space Diagram
Two-way Street
#1
G=25 Y=5 R=30

2 8 4 2 8 4
6 6

EB Band WB Band

G=35 Y=5 R=20

#2 2 8 4 2
8 4 6 6

Time
CEE 764 – Fall 2010
 Questions

Question 1:
2 and 6 at intersection #1 turn to green at 60 sec, 2 and 6 at
intersection #2 turn to green at 20 sec, what are the offset s at the two
intersections, assuming the offset is referenced to the start of green of 2
and 6?

Question 2:
Given the offsets number in Q1, what will the offsets be if the offsets are
referenced to the end of green of 2 and 6?

Question 3:
If the travel speeds are different for the two directions, will it affect the
above offset results?

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Offset and Transition

 Synch point/clock: the time all offsets are

referenced to. It is also called Master Clock Zero.
It is usually set at 12:00 – 3:00 a.m. when traffic is
light.
12:00 a.m.
(Master Zero) Master Zero Master Zero Master Zero

Local Zero Local Zero Local Zero

Offset

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Example

 If the Synch point is set at 3:00 a.m., for a signal

operating at an 90-sec cycle and an offset of 40,
what would be the master clock timer and the
local clock timer at 11:20 a.m.?

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Transition Methods

 Transition occurrences
 Plan change
 Preemption
 Pedestrian
 Transition methods/algorithms
 Dwell
 Max Dwell
 Add
 Subtract
 Shortway

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Example

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Offset and Transition

1 2 1 2
#1
5 6 8 4 5 6

WB:
EB: 8 sec
20 sec

#2
2 8 4
8 4 6

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Bandwidth
(Dual LT Leading)
1 2 1 2
#1
5 6 8 4 5 6

WB:
EB: 8 sec
20 sec

#2
2 8 4
8 4 6

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Bandwidth - Adjusted
(Dual LT Leading)
1 2 1 2
#1
5 6 8 4 5 6

WB:
12 sec
EB:
20 sec

#2
2 8 4
8 4 6

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Bandwidth - Initial
(Lead/Lag)
2 1 2 1

#1
5 6 8 4 5 6

WB:
EB: 12 sec
20 sec

#2
2 8 4
8 4 6

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Bandwidth - Adjusted
(Lead/Lag)
2 1 2 1

#1
5 6 8 4 5 6

EB: WB:
20 sec 20 sec

#2
2 8 4
8 4 6

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 MOEs

 Bandwidth Concept (PASSER II)

 Bandwidth, seconds
 Bandwidth Efficiency = Bandwidth/Cycle
 Attainability = Bandwidth/gmin

 System-Wide Delay (Synchro)

 System-wide Stops and Delay (TRANSYT-7F)

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Yellow Trap
“Yellow trap” is a situation faced by a left-turn
movement when the display of “yellow” occurs
to both the left-turn phase and the adjacent
through phase, but the opposing through is not (1)
terminating.

(2) (3)

(4) (5)

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Dallas phasing has louver that through vehicles cannot see

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Left-turn phase about to end

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Through movements move both directions. Left-turn yield
to opposing through.

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Yellow trap occurs when the leading left-turn sees yellow
and thinks the opposing through phase will also end

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Dallas phasing does not display yellow, and left-turn sees
green ball and is supposed to still yield.

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 When left-turn sees yellow, the opposing phase also about
to end

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Main street phases end, side street phases begin

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Yellow Trap

• Only the leading left-turn has the “yellow trap” with

protected/permitted phasing
• Dallas Phasing solves the "yellow-trap" problem by holding a
solid green indication.
• Louvers are used to shield the left-turn display so that the green
display in the left-turn signal cannot be easily seen by thru drivers.
•When can a “yellow trap” occur with standard PPLT with left-
turns leading or lagging?

http://projects.kittelson.com/pplt/LearnAbout/Learn3.htm

http://projects.kittelson.com/pplt/displays/dallas_doghouse_lag.htm

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Summary

 Offset
 Bandwidth
 Time-Space Diagram

 What is “Yellow Trap” and when it occurs?

 What is the main purpose of using “Lead-Lag” phasing? Can
“Lead-Lag” phasing increase an intersection capacity?
 What is the exception that a different cycle length can be used at
an intersection while still maintaining coordination?

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Lab Exercise
 Use the Kietzke system (3 signals) to perform
the following exercise.
1. Use the Synchro offset optimization (keep cycle length and splits unchanged) and answer the following
questions:
• What are the phasing sequences at each intersection?
• How are the offsets referenced and what are the offsets?
• Examine the timing solution and indicate where stops may occur if driving on the main street both directions.
2. Can you further improve the bandwidth by changing the phasing sequences from Synchro? Answer the
same questions above.
3. Which intersection is controlling the bandwidth?

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Lab Exercise
 Use the Boulder Highway system (3 signals) to
perform the following exercise.
1. Understand the existing timing sheets and compare with Synchro coding.
2. Use the Synchro offset optimization (keep cycle length and splits unchanged) and compare
Synchro timing solution with the existing (bandwidth)
3. How was the phasing sequence changed at each signal? Can you further improve the
bandwidth by changing the phasing sequences from Synchro?
4. Which intersection is controlling the bandwidth?
5. Try only with two intersections (Harmon and Tropicana) and see how the solution changes.

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Signal Timing Sheets (NextPhase)
Boulder Hwy/Tropicana Intersection

1. 1.1 – Schedule of timing plans

2. 2.3.x – Information of a timing plan: cycle, split, offset, sequence
3. 2.4.x – Phasing sequence
4. 2.5.x – Phase data (min green, yellow, all-red etc.)
5. 4.2.1- Phase designation (direction/movement) and ring structure

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 Lead/Lag Phasing

ec
EB

36 s
=1

=
6 se

WB
c

CEE 764 – Fall 2010

 EB

s ec
=1

= 45
6 se

WB
c

CEE 764 – Fall 2010