Improving traffic signal control for pedestrians

• Published in: 12th IEE International Conference on Road Transport Information & Control - RTIC 2004 pp. 268 - 277
• Main Authors: McLeod, F.N, Hounsell, N.B, Rajbhandari, B
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Stevenage IEE 2004
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Control applications in remote signalling, dispatching and safety devices; Exact sciences and technology; Ground, air and sea transportation, marine construction; Road operations (signalization, lighting, safety and accessories, snow clearance, acoustical panel, etc.); Road transportation and traffic; Road-traffic system control; Sensing devices and transducers; Traffic engineering computing; Transportation infrastructure; United Kingdom; Europe; pedestrian crossing facilities; microwave detectors; road traffic; traffic signal control; signal control parameters; traffic control; alternative vehicle gap detection; pedestrian detection equipment; vehicle detection equipment; pedestrian signal priority method; signalling; traffic control strategies; Project evaluation; Traffic lights; State of the art; International conference; In situ test; Check; Pedestrian traffic; Result; Improvement; Pedestrian walk; Simulation; Traffic control; Strategy; Detection
• ISBN: 0863413862; 9780863413865
• ISSN: 0537-9989
• DOI: 10.1049/cp:20040041

The paper is focussed on improving pedestrian crossing facilities through better control methods. Options for improving pedestrian crossing facilities through advances in traffic signal and vehicle and pedestrian detection equipment were discussed by Hounsell et al. (2001). A number of different traffic control strategies were considered in these studies. Some of these were aimed at improving existing facilities without the need for any new controller or detection equipment. These improvements were based on ensuring that signal control parameters are set to appropriate values for the prevailing traffic and pedestrian flow levels. The studies also considered new traffic signal control strategies that would require some modifications to the existing infrastructure. The new traffic control strategies discussed in the paper are: alternative vehicle gap detection; and pedestrian signal priority method.