Maximizing the Traffic Throughput of Turn Bays at a Signalized Intersection Approach
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 5
Abstract
This paper proposes a method to maximize the throughput of a single-lane approach with a branched configuration (one-lane arterial with multiple turn bays at the intersection approach). Field observations determined that, for such an intersection approach, turn bays can be efficiently used only for a limited amount of time after the start of green, and setting the maximum green too high will result in loss of efficiency. The proposed method provides equations for estimating the maximum green that would maximize throughput and suggests repeating the phase twice in the cycle, such that the multilane section can be filled up each time before the green is given. After the new approach is presented and discussed, it is applied to modify the signalization pattern of an existing signalized intersection. This study site is along a single-lane arterial with three lanes at the stop bar: left turn, through and right turn. The new signalization pattern is applied at the study site, and the field evaluation of the before and after conditions are reported. It was concluded that the new scheme increased the throughput of the subject approach by 12.6%.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the assistance of the City of Gainesville in the conduct of this project. We appreciate the assistance of Mr. Matt Weisman, ITS Operations Engineer in the Traffic Operations Division for the City of Gainesville, for allowing us access to the video camera and for implementing our recommended signal timing plan.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 139 • Issue 5 • May 2013
Pages: 425 - 432
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 14, 2011
Accepted: Oct 26, 2012
Published online: Oct 29, 2012
Published in print: May 1, 2013
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