President's message

Institute of Transportation Engineers. ITE Journal, Apr 2003 by Freeman, John R Jr

TRAFFIC SIGNAL TIMING-THE TIME IS UPON US!

In this age of high-tech solutions for improving the performance and efficiency of transportation facilities, some "old reliable" methods may no longer receive the attention and resources that once were available.

Several major transportation corridors have seen traffic volumes nearly double over a 10-year period without any update in traffic signal timing. Many local governments report a continuing reduction in personnel and funding resources devoted to re-timing traffic signals. Our educational institutions are providing less training for signal timing in undergraduate and graduate engineering programs. However, this area is fundamental to our profession and our organization.

In my opinion, ITE must be a leader. Following are some examples of how we have stepped forward to provide this leadership.

In March 2002, ITE conducted a traffic signal timing debate as part of its 2002 Spring Conference and Exhibit. The principal items of discussion were clearance and signal timing issues, automated enforcement and training. In the clearance and all-red interval discussion, attendees suggested that ITE should provide guidance, information about the advantages and disadvantages of various methodologies as well as summaries of standards of practice, while retaining flexibility for engineering judgment. Other suggestions concerned cycle lengths, lead-lag phasing, signal preemption and addressing resource shortages for maintaining current timings.

Another important aspect of the debate involved the training needed to support traffic signal timing expertise. Attendees discussed the need for a national training program that would be available to smaller communities and oriented to the technicians level.

Responding to the need identified by membership and the profession, ITE established information on and training in traffic signal timing as one of its 2003 emphasis areas. Leading this effort is a Traffic Signal Timing Advisory Committee, which has developed a list of actions ITE can undertake to improve service to the profession. One of the primary items will be the preparation of "Best Practices of Traffic Signal Timing."

This document, to be developed closely with the Federal Highway Administration, will gather information about various methodologies involving data collection; field implementation and evaluation; and signal timing development to include yellow and all-red clearance intervals. If you would like to share any methodologies for the preparation of this document, please forward them to ITE Headquarters.

During last month's 2003 Technical Conference and Exhibit in Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA, ITE conducted a second traffic signal timing discussion to gain further information for our membership. The information gathered during this debate will be posted on the ITE Web site so that those who were not able to attend the conference may offer input. I encourage you visit www.ite.org and offer your comments.

Through this discussion and other dialogs, we will address many elements of signal timing, such as all-red and yellow clearance intervals, cycle lengths and flashing operation. The intent is to improve the understanding of the various methods used, define issues that may need additional research and determine if standardizing certain elements of signal timing, such as maximum cycle length, will provide a benefit.

As part of the ITE 2003 Annual Meeting and Exhibit in Seattle, WA, USA, ITE is planning a one-day seminar on traffic signal timing development. Information regarding this seminar is available on ITE's Web site. We truly are taking steps to provide better information and training to our membership and the profession in a fundamental area of traffic engineering.

TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COUNCIL

Many of the technical product development activities that ITE undertakes in the area of traffic engineering are lead by the Traffic Engineering Council (TENC), currently under the leadership of Chair Jeff Paniati and Vice Chair Martin Bretherton. TENC oversees ITE's technical activities in the areas of highway design, traffic operations and traffic control, and it is ITE's largest council with more than 2,000 members.

The council uses a variety of approaches to support this large and diverse membership. The development of technical reports and standards has been a primary focus for TENC. Recent products sponsored by TENC include the Traffic Control Devices Handbook, the development of purchase specifications for flashing and steady burn warning lights and information reports such as the Survey of Speed Zoning Practices.

TENC also is responsible for many of ITE's recommended practices. Updates of two recommended practices-Guidelines for Prohibition of Turns on Red and Preemption of Traffic Signals At or Near Railroad Grade Crossings with Active Warning Lights-are nearing completion. TENC also has been an active participant in ITE's efforts to develop an improved process for identifying, developing and maintaining recommended practices.