Background & Description

Are you looking for a Traffic Signal Timing course that offers the flexibility and convenience of a web-based course, but also offers interaction with the instructor and fellow students? This course provides students with an understanding of both the theory and practice of traffic signal timing and its impact on traffic operations. It gives students an overview of the terms associated with signal timing; discusses the concepts of cycle length, split, offset, midblock friction, phase sequences, the signal timing process, and signal timing optimization; and looks at the types of actuated controllers, passage time, extension, and the coordination of actuated and pretimed controllers. It also discusses the development of timing plans, explores types of signal control (first generation control and advanced techniques, including Rhodes, RT-TRACS, SCAT, and SCOOT) and investigates the relationship of signal timing to ITS: regional and system/design considerations.

What is an Instructor-led, Web-based course?

A “blended” course combines the best features of both instructor-led and web-based instruction. These features include:

• Live discussions with the instructor through the use of conference calls,
• Convenient, flexible web-based learning,
• A specific time schedule in which to complete the course, and
• Interaction with other students through the use of class problems posted on a discussion board.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the fundamental concepts underlying traffic control signal timing.
• Identify the different types of traffic control signals and their operating characteristics.
• Define the terms used to evaluate the effectiveness of traffic signal control.
• Recognize the role of traffic signal control systems within the broader context of ITS.

Course Length

The course goes for six weeks (see course syllabus) and takes the student between 10-15 hours of time to complete the entire course.

Author & Instructor

The author of the course is Philip Tarnoff, Director of the Center for Advanced Transportation Technology (CATT) at the University of Maryland.

The instructor for the course is Woody Hood, Traffic Signal Systems Engineer from the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). Mr. Hood has been involved with Traffic Signal Timing for the state of Maryland since 1988 and manages SHA's traffic signal system timing optimization program. As the instructor for this course, Mr. Hood brings a wealth of experience dealing with traffic signal timing, traffic responsive signal systems, and other signal timing and operational issues.

Outline of Web-based Course Content

Numbers in parentheses refer to pages.

1. Lesson 1. Fundamental Terms and Concepts (3-33)
   1. Signal Timing Fundamentals
   2. Controller Fundamentals
      1. Pretimed Signals
      2. Semi-Actuated Signals
      3. Full-Actuated Signals
      4. Volume-Density Signals
      5. Knowledge Check: Controller Fundamentals
      6. Actuated Controller Interval
      7. Actuated Controller Green Phase
      8. Knowledge Check: Actuated Controller Intervals
   3. Measures of Effectiveness
   4. Other Important Definitions
   5. Knowledge Check: Important Terms & Definitions
   6. Time-Space Diagram
   7. Lesson 1 Summary
   8. Lesson 1 Quiz
2. Lesson 2. Signal Timing Concepts (34-72)
   1. Cycle Length
   2. Knowledge Check: Cycle Length
   3. Split
   4. Knowledge Check: Split
   5. Offset
   6. Knowledge Check: Offset
   7. Phase Sequences
   8. Signal Timing Optimization
   9. Signal Timing Process
   10. Lesson 2 Summary
   11. Lesson 2 Quiz
3. Lesson 3. Actuated Controllers (77-100)
   1. Fully Actuated Controllers
      1. Conventional Actuated Controllers
      2. Volume Density Controllers
      3. Knowledge Check: Fully Actuated Controllers
   2. Passage Time
   3. Extension
      1. Knowledge Check: Extension & Passage Time (87)
   4. Coordination of Actuated and Pretimed Controllers
      1. Uncertain Start of Green
      2. Unused Phase Times
      3. Maximum Green Time
      4. Actuated Main Street Phase
      5. Lesson 3 Quiz
4. Lesson 4. Developing Timing Plans (101-173)
   1. Sections
   2. Data Collection
   3. Measures of Effectiveness
   4. Times of Day
   5. Saturation
   6. Many Tools Available
      1. Passer II
      2. TRANSYT-7F
      3. Synchro
      4. Trafficware
   7. Congestion
   8. Simulation
   9. Field Evaluation Techniques
   10. Lesson 4 Summary
   11. Lesson 4 Quiz
5. Lesson 5. Types of Signal Control (174-253)
   1. First Generation Control
      1. Time of Day (TOD)
      2. Manual
      3. Traffic Responsive (TRSP)
         • TRSP Quiz
   2. Advanced Techniques
      1. Rhodes
      2. RT-TRACS
      3. SCAT
      4. Scoot
   3. Lesson 5 Summary
   4. Lesson 5 Quiz
6. Lesson 6. Relationship to ITS (254-274)
   1. Regional Considerations
   2. System/Design Considerations
   3. Lesson 6 Summary
   4. Lesson 6 Quiz
7. Signal Timing Terms Review
8. Signal Timing Terms Review Solution
9. Session Exam (Web CT)
   

Course Syllabus

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