Traffic Signal Control - General

12/5 / Traffic installation standards

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 16:20:32 GMT

Hello All, I'm in need of updating our existing signal installation standards. is anyone willing to share there's so i can get some ideas please? Regards

Pedestrian Crossings to Control Traffic 2

Thu, 7 Mar 2024 14:45:10 GMT

This is similar to a previous post however in this case it would be using a signal crossing to create a gap in flow sufficient to allow a vehicle, specifically a bus, to turn right against that flow. A bus waiting, but unable to turn right would trigger the crossing further up the road (50m) to change, without a pedestrian being present, so as to allow the bus to turn right. I believe this is doable however what do people think about actually doing it?

Controlled Crossings

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 10:20:10 GMT

Hello all. I am interested in the groups experience with puffin/toucan crossings which span 3/4 lanes? We have a proposal for a toucan which would span 4 lanes (approx 14m) without a stagger, as there isn't sufficient width at this location to accommodate a staggered crossing. I would be interested in others experiences (lessons learned?). 30mph speed limit and one of our busier locations.

CCTV Operator guidance for Highway Cameras

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 11:22:06 GMT

Hello All, We are looking at upgrading our Highways CCTV system. As most of us are still Home working we are looking for remote web based solution. I was wondering if anyone knows or can point me in the right direction of the legal requirements for operators. I.e can we view the cameras from Home? and what restrictions we should have in place etc. Any advice useful. Thanks

New portable traffic signals guidance released

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 14:43:01 GMT

The Association for Road Traffic Safety and Management (ARTSM) has announced the release of the first edition of Guidance for the Use of Portable Traffic Signals.

The guidance is intended to replace the Department for Transport Pink Book and TALS 2/11 and 3/11 with immediate effect.

Government officials have confirmed they will begin the process of withdrawing the old documents, the ARTSM said.

The guidance is aimed at traffic management operatives, utilities teams and local authority highways teams, as well as those responsible for training.

It includes a new element on timings and will assist those working in or training operatives for National Highways Sector Scheme 12, and street works and utilities works.

An ARTSM spokeswoman said: 'We thank all those involved in providing feedback during the consultation process, including DfT and the Health and Safety Executive.

'We have reviewed all comments received and we are hopeful that the Guidance will clarify areas of previous uncertainty by drawing all relevant text and earlier guidance into a single place of reference.'

The Guidance is available for free in PDF but a hard copy can be purchased from ARTSM via the website.

Article courtesy of Highways Magazine

Low cost CCTV options

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 15:28:29 GMT

Hello, just wondering what other authorities are doing in respect to low cost CCTV options at Junctions. I am looking for a cheap 3/4G solution for minor junctions. If anyone has experience and can suggest would be much appreciated.

Free Traffic Signal Learning Resources

Thu, 7 Sep 2023 15:47:47 GMT

Just a quick note to let you all know that the 'Traffic Signals Principles' series on the @ITSNow YouTube Channel has now got a whole series of single topic revision episodes to compliment the main long episodes in the series. We've had very positive feedback from users saying that it is a particularly good resource for apprentices, graduates and other new entrants to the sector. Have a look at www.itsnow.org for more information, or search @ITSNow on YouTube, the link to the Traffic Signals Principles series playlist is: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGbavTFBVyLtmCidx_0Tbwz_wDeVTN5QY&si=7sd7UaCqVOzare5g More episodes will be published on a regular basis, so keep an eye out for these! Don't forget to subscribe to the channel!

Yunex large controller cabinets

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 13:50:56 GMT

Yunex also tell us that they are changing to only supplying large cabinets for their new controllers as no one wants the small ones any more. I'm very surprised at this and doubt that it is true. We have sites with limited space on the footway and would prefer smaller cabinets besides which the larger ones are more expensive when you only want a standard crossing. Any one got any thoughts on this?

Plus+

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 13:45:21 GMT

Yunex tell us that Plus+ is a popular choice amongst other authorities however we have now installed two, have had problems with both and don't really like them. How are other users finding them and how many have you installed?

Pedestrian Crossings to Control Traffic

Thu, 8 Dec 2022 09:33:40 GMT

Posted by David H 6th July 2022 Does anyone have any experience – or thoughts – on using a pedestrian crossing to control traffic. A design incorporates a bus stop very close to the crossing and the client wants the crossing to service the green man when the bus is stopped in case the stopped bus masks a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction and a crossing pedestrian gets wiped out. This would operate independently of any pushbutton input or not. Personally, I think it’s a bit over the top, but would appreciate the views or experiences of anyone else.

Slot Cutting - Encapsulate requirements

Thu, 8 Dec 2022 09:31:54 GMT

Posted by Andrew B 21st November 2021 On a recent job I’ve questioned the lack of encapsulation for the loop cable and been told by some slot cutters that their standard practice is to pour bitumen direct onto the loop cable – ie no encapsulant such as epoxy resin first as called for in HCD G series / MCH1540 / MCH1542. I’m concerned that it is cutting corners and could lead to premature failure due to a variety of reasons but of course it may be several years to gain evidence of this and proving cause of failure isn’t always going to be easy. Does anyone have any experiences to share on this? Thanks Andy

Crossings on high speed roads

Thu, 8 Dec 2022 09:30:00 GMT

Posted by David H 23rd February 2022 The title of the thread says it all! I don’t like crossings on high speed roads, but we have been commissioned to carry out a design for a client on a 50mph road with 85th %ile speeds at just over 50mph. I’m looking for any experience with what was done (if anything) with regards to vehicle restraint at such installations. I think some of the decisions can be made based on the density of pedestrians crossing but in my mind there should be a way of keeping vehicles out of the guardailed areas. This of course isn’t possible with a standard VRS. I can’t see a block of concrete on the final approach to the crossing point being acceptable either! Any thoughts/experience please?

Detection loops for bicycles

Thu, 8 Dec 2022 09:28:16 GMT

By Andrew B 10th September 2020 Leaving to one side the discussion around the best type of detection for bicycles (best left for another discussion) and focusing only on loops If specifying a detection loop for bicycles at a stop line, what shape and what orientation would you use and why. Particularly interested in views on Bow-Tie shape loops. Also can anyone confirm success with detecting high end bicycles (carbon fibre frame and wheels) with loops. I’d imagine the only bit with a hope of being detected is the cranks/chain/pedals/gears and that a conventional loop doesn’t stand a chance, and there seems to be more and more of that type of bicycle on the roads. Thanks

Stainless Steel Road Studs

Thu, 8 Dec 2022 09:25:53 GMT

Posted by Paul Clark
21st August 2021

In my opinion stainless steel road studs give a traffic signal site with pedestrian facilities a professional looking appearance and finish when compared to the alternative of painted studs. They also last much longer as traffic wears painted studs away relatively quickly.

I have been told metal studs should not be used because they represent a skid hazard to motorcyclists. I suspect this is an urban myth that has attained the status of fact through constant repetition. I have been unable to find any evidence that road studs have caused, or been suspected of causing, any accidents to these, or other, road users. The surface area of road studs encountered by a motorcyclist during a journey must be trivial compared to other metalwork in the carriageway. If the miniscule area of studs were such a danger, then motorcyclists would be coming to grief on other metalwork with relentless frequency and I am not aware that this is the case.

My question is simply, is there any convincing evidence that metal roads studs are such a hazard that the benefits of using them are outweighed by the actual risks they pose, not the perceived ones?

Prohibitions versus instructions at traffic signal junctions

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 11:34:05 GMT

Posted by Paul Clarke 24th August 2021 I have a traffic signal site with restricted turning movements that has a compliance problem. The layout is a fully signalled urban crossroads where two, two-way, single carriageway side roads meet a dual carriageway. One of the side roads is cul-de-sac of very short length and carries little traffic movement. The other side road carries a significant volume of traffic. This arm is restricted to turning left only onto the dual carriageway, with no movement permitted ahead to the cul-de-sac or right onto the dual carriageway. Because the traffic from the dual carriageway can turn left or right under signal control into the larger side road, there must be a gap in the central reserve to allow the right turn in. Some drivers from the restricted side road, when given green, turn right through this gap onto the dual carriageway, in conflict with the ahead traffic they are attempting to join as this traffic has no legitimate reason to stop. Drivers on the restricted side road have a primary and secondary signal with left turn green arrow aspects. Just in advance of these are two road signs on their own posts to Dia. 606 turn left arrow. Thus, there are four turn left arrows in all, but some drivers still turn right. It has been suggested that I should add a Dia. 612 No Right Turn box sign to each signal head below the left turn arrow. The assertion is that this would reduce, or eliminate, the right turn movements because drivers do not understand green arrows at traffic signals or turn left signs. Any green on a signal head allows all movements in the minds of these drivers, it is claimed. My view is that those who turn right are either ignorant of the meaning of signals and signs, or do so deliberately knowing the movement is banned. My conclusion is that in the first case additional signs would be futile as they would not be understood, and in the second case also futile as they have already demonstrated their willingness to contravene a restricted movement. However, colleagues are adamant that signs that instruct drivers not to do something (those in a red circle) are both understood and complied with far more than signs that seek to achieve the same end by giving a positive instruction to do something. If this is accepted then many existing sites would need a proliferation of box signs as well as arrows which, to me, is an unwanted expansion of clutter. My question is simply, is there any convincing evidence that prohibitions against doing something are preferable to positive instructions to do something at traffic signal junctions because they are both understood and complied with more readily?

BVPI165

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 11:31:45 GMT

Posted by Andrew Parfitt 27th April 2021 Does anybody have a copy of the standards required for a crossing to pass BVPI 165? Eg. Tactile and audio provision for any site after 1 Apr 2001?

CCS Transport Technology and Associated Services

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 11:30:06 GMT

Posted by James Eaves 24th March 2021

Presence Detector

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 11:27:23 GMT

Posted by Ian 25th February 2015 Hi I am looking at using a presence detector to put an input into a controller at one particular site so that can then let a common data base know so that it can implement a set of plans further up the road to allow more green time and clear the queues. The data base we have is Argonaut (Cloud Amber). I’ve looked on the internet for various presence detectors. Goldern River have various ones (M830, M100, M300). Ideally it would need to be above ground (two lanes to cover) and not Bluetooth as not many vehicles/phones are always switched on. Thanks Ian ian.farr@bradford.gov.uk

Touch sensitive buttons

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 11:24:25 GMT

Posted by David Hughes 31st January 2019 Does anyone have any experience of touch sensitive pushbuttons they wish to share, particularly the more recent types? Thanks

Technology for visually impaired people with guide dogs

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 10:59:16 GMT

Posted by Daveo 3rd September 2018 I have been asked for information regarding equipment available for assisting visually impaired people with guide dogs to cross at signalised crossings. We obviously use audible and tactile indicators but is there any other innovative equipment available. Whilst I appreciate that this is a very general question, I would appreciate it if anyone experienced in this area could provide information on the latest thinking. Thanks, DaveO