Traffic Signal Preemption at Intersections Near Highway–Rail Grade Crossings

TRB\u27s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 507: Traffic Signal Preemption at Intersections Near Highway–Rail Grade Crossings documents the current practices of traffic signal preemption deployed at intersections adjacent to railway grade crossing in both the United States and Canada. The study provides information on practices dealing with traffic signal preemption, maintenance, funding, and operations

Improving the Application of Transit Signal Priority Using the NTCIP 1211 Standard

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is sponsoring a research project regarding incorporating National Transportation Communications for Intelligent Transportation Systems Protocol (NTCIP) standards to improve transit signal priority system (TSP) applications. This article outlines the changes necessary to address strategic traffic signal control issues such as TSP. The FTA researchers developed case studies for the application of TSP that would incorporate various sources of information, using the NTCIP 1211 standard message framework to make an informed decision at the traffic signal control level. The ability to implement and maintain TSP under the NTCIP 1211 standard lies in the ability to provide the following processes, which are detailed in this article: smart requests generated by the transit system; smart decisions made by the traffic control system; and feedback mechanism between the systems

Detection Range Setting Methodology for Signal Priority

A significant amount of delay to transit vehicles in urban areas is caused by traffic signals. Implementation of signal priority has the potential to reduce control delay caused by traffic signals. The implementation of these systems requires engineering studies that address both transit and traffic signal operations. A comprehensive program requires coordination between the transit agency and the transportation department to address needs of both agencies and users. The City of Portland and the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (Tri-Met) have been working on a program that exhibits the elements of such an effort. This article details the efforts of the project and the methodology for developing signal timing and detection distance settings

Detection Range Setting Methodology for Signal Priority

A significant amount of delay to transit vehicles in urban areas is caused by traffic signals. Implementation of signal priority has the potential to reduce control delay caused by traffic signals. The implementation of these systems requires engineering studies that address both transit and traffic signal operations. A comprehensive program requires coordination between the transit agency and the transportation department to address needs of both agencies and users. The City of Portland and the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (Tri-Met) have been working on a program that exhibits the elements of such an effort. This article details the efforts of the project and the methodology for developing signal timing and detection distance settings