Mode of Flashing for Malfunctioning Traffic Signals
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 137, Issue 7
Abstract
This paper presents the analysis of traffic operations at 34 instances of yellow/red malfunction flash and nine instances of red/red malfunction flash in the Atlanta area. Malfunction flash occurs when a traffic signal’s malfunction monitoring unit detects a problem and automatically initiates a flashing operation. Many of these instances were during periods of high demand, and a high level of driver confusion was documented. The stopping rate of major-street through drivers (i.e., those facing a flashing yellow signal and not required to stop) exceeded 75% at some yellow/red flash intersections. This eliminates many of the operational benefits that yellow/red flash is generally assumed to have over red/red flash and may create a safety hazard. To predict major-street (flashing yellow) stopping rates, logit models were developed. At red/red flash intersections, 10–20% of drivers did not stop before entering the intersection; many of these drivers crept through or “piggybacked” with another vehicle.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 137 • Issue 7 • July 2011
Pages: 438 - 444
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 29, 2009
Accepted: Oct 4, 2010
Published online: Oct 26, 2010
Published in print: Jul 1, 2011
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