SPECIAL SECTION: HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION
Mar 1, 1993

Reliability‐Based Design of Intergreen Interval at Traffic Signals

Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 119, Issue 2

Abstract

The current method of computing the intergreen (yellow plus all‐red) interval at signalized intersections assumes that the component variables are deterministic. This paper presents a probabilistic method in which the approach speed, reaction time, deceleration rate, and vehicle length are random variables. The intergreen interval is estimated so that the dilemma zone occurs with a specified probability. A safety margin is defined as the difference between the clearing and stopping distances, which are random variables. Relationships for the mean and standard deviation of the safety margin are developed based on the first‐order second‐moment analysis. A closed‐form solution of the intergreen interval is then derived. The safety margin is assumed to be normal, and this assumption is confirmed. The probabilistic method should be valuable in designing the intergreen interval for any desired reliability level.

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Published In

Go to Journal of Transportation Engineering
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 119Issue 2March 1993
Pages: 255 - 271

History

Received: Jun 14, 1992
Published online: Mar 1, 1993
Published in print: Mar 1993

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Authors

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Said M. Easa, Member, ASCE
Prof., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Lakehead Univ., Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada P7B 5E1

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