Effects of countdown timers on queue discharge characteristics of through movement at a signalized intersection

This study investigates how countdown timers installed at a signalized intersection affect the queue discharge characteristics of through movement during the green phase. Since the countdown timers display the time remaining (in seconds) until the onset of the green phase, drivers waiting in the queue at the intersection are aware of the upcoming phase change, and are likely to respond quicker. Thus, the countdown timers could reduce the start-up lost time, decrease the saturation headway, and increase the saturation flow rate. This study observed vehicle flow at an intersection in Bangkok for 24 h when the countdown timers were operating, and for another 24 h when the countdown timers were switched off. The signal plans and timings remained unchanged in both cases. Standard statistical t-tests were used to compare the difference in traffic characteristics between the “with timer” and “without timer” cases. It was found that the countdown timers had a significant impact on the start-up lost time, reducing it by 1.00–1.92 s per cycle, or a 17–32% time saving. However, the effects on saturation headway were found to be trivial, which implies that the countdown timers do not have much impact on the saturation flow rate of signalized intersections, especially during the off-peak day period and the late night period. The savings in the start-up lost time from the countdown timers was estimated to be equivalent to an 8–24 vehicles/h increase for each through movement lane at the intersection being studied.     

Improved driver responses at intersections with red signal countdown timers

Traffic Signal Countdown Timers (TSCTs) are innovative, practical and cost effective technologies with the potential to improve efficiency at signalized intersections. The purpose of these devices is to assist motorists in decision-making at signalized intersections with real-time signal duration information. This study focused specifically on driver responses in the presence of a Red Signal Countdown Timer (RSCT). A Linear Mixed Effect (LME) model was developed to predict the effect of RSCT on the headway of the first vehicle waiting on a red signal. The model predicted 0.72 s reduction in the headway of the first queued vehicle resulting from the presence of RSCT, while the observed difference in mean headway was 0.82 s. This result is suggestive of a reduction in start-up lost time at signalized intersections, i.e., an improvement in signalized intersection efficiency when an RSCT is present.     

Modifying pedestrian behaviour

The paper reports on research using a new type of pedestrian waiting countdown timer to influence pedestrian behaviour at signalised pedestrian crossings in Dublin. The aim was to evaluate the impact of the timers on pedestrian crossing behaviour and in particular to see if it had any impact on the number of illegal crossings (during red man––do not walk signal). The timers inform the pedestrian how many seconds they have to wait until the green man appears. Two surveys were used to evaluate the impact: an attitude survey to evaluate the perception of the users and a video survey to estimate quantitatively the impacts on pedestrian behaviour but also to evaluate the awareness levels of the pedestrians towards the countdown timers. Some of the results include observance of more compliant behaviour by females and that pedestrians tend to overestimate their waiting time. Before the timers were installed 65% of pedestrians started to cross during the green man and amber phases but this rose to 76% after the timers were installed.     

倒计时信号灯对交叉口交通安全影响研究

针对倒计时装置对信号交叉口交通安全的影响进了研究。采集了9个信号交叉口共计13个进口道的相关数据,以红黄灯时段车辆通过停车线情况及交通冲突数作为替代安全评价指标,对比设置及未设置信号倒计时装置的交叉口进口道数据,量化了信号倒计时装置对城市信号交叉口交通安全的影响。结果表明,在交叉口直行和左转2个方向上,受到信号倒计时装置影响,车辆在交叉口进口道处的冒险通行频次以及交通冲突数均有显著提升,对交叉口交通安全水平存在负面影响,建议在工程应用中谨慎使用信号倒计时装置。      

新型脉冲自然分配器的设计

利用定时器ＮＥ５５６和程控单结晶体管，设计了一种新型多路脉冲分配器。它输出脉冲的路数可以任意多，仅取决于分配单元的多少。脉冲的分配和循环靠自然传递的方式实现，且脉冲的分配和放大可一次完成。