Traffic Control Systems Handbook

Gordon, Robert L.; Reiss, Robert A.; Haenel, Herman; Case, E. Ryerson; French, R. L.; Mohaddes, Abbas; Wolcott, Ronald · 1996 · ROSA P / United States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Technology Applications

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Summary

The *Traffic Control Systems Handbook* (1996), published by the Federal Highway Administration, serves as a comprehensive reference for the selection, implementation, and operation of traffic control systems. Designed for transportation agencies, engineers, planners, and students, the document updates the 1984 edition to incorporate Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies and concepts. Its primary objective is to provide decision-making processes for planning, designing, and implementing traffic control infrastructure, while describing available and emerging technologies. The handbook aims to aid in understanding system features and facilitating training within the traffic control industry. The document is structured into eight chapters that systematically cover the scope, technology, and operational concepts of traffic control. It begins by defining the role and impact of these systems, including Travel Demand Management (TDM) and the evolution of urban and freeway controls. Chapter 2 details available hardware and software, focusing on Integrated Traffic Management Systems (ITMS) and criteria for system selection. Subsequent chapters address specific control environments: Chapter 3 covers urban and suburban streets, detailing signal timing, phasing, isolated intersections, arterial control, and network optimization techniques such as UTCS, SCOOT, and SCATS. Chapter 4 focuses on freeway management, including ramp metering strategies, mainline control, incident management, and High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) priority systems. Chapter 5 discusses integrated corridor control. Technical components are covered in Chapters 6 through 8, which describe vehicle detectors (e.g., inductive loops, magnetometers), local controllers (e.g., Model 170, NEMA), and system-level control architectures, including open- and closed-loop systems. The handbook provides detailed technical specifications and methodologies for various control strategies. For urban areas, it outlines manual and computer-assisted techniques for timing plan development, such as PASSER III-90, and analyzes benefits including fuel consumption and emissions using models like MOBILE5C and CALINE3. For freeways, it examines congestion causes and solutions, detailing ramp metering rates, strategies (demand-capacity, upstream occupancy), and incident detection and response protocols. It also reviews simulation models such as FREQ, INTRAS, and FRESIM. The text compares different detector types and controller operations, highlighting the transition from electromechanical to solid-state and advanced transportation controllers. It emphasizes the integration of monitoring and control systems to improve traffic flow and safety. The significance of this handbook lies in its role as a standardized guide for modernizing traffic infrastructure. By incorporating ITS concepts and emerging technologies, it supports agencies in upgrading existing systems and implementing new ones effectively. It provides a framework for evaluating cost-effectiveness and measures of effectiveness (MOE) for traffic signal improvements. The document does not constitute a regulatory standard but offers essential technical data and decision-making tools for professionals responsible for traffic management. It reflects the state-of-the-practice in 1996, serving as a foundational resource for understanding the complexity of integrated traffic control systems and their impact on transportation efficiency.

Key finding

The handbook provides a structured reference for selecting and implementing traffic control systems by detailing decision-making processes, available technologies, and operational concepts for urban, suburban, and freeway environments.

Methodology

review

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