Event-Based Data Collection for Generating Actuated Controller Performance Measures

Abstract

Cycle-by-cycle data have been shown to be effective in the analysis of a signalized intersection with measures of effectiveness such as volume-to-capacity ratios, arrival type, and average vehicular delay. Currently, actuated traffic controllers are unable to store vehicle counts and vehicle occupancy in cycle-by-cycle bins, requiring extra equipment and personnel to collect data in these bins. The objective of this research was to develop an integrated general purpose data collection module that time-stamps detector and phase state changes within a National Electrical Manufacturers Association actuated traffic signal controller and uses those data to provide quantitative graphs to assess arterial progression, phase capacity utilization, movement delay, and served volumes on a cycle-by-cycle basis. Given that the United States recently received a grade of 61 of 100 on the National Traffic Signal Report Card, it is particularly important that procedures such as these be used to provide performance measures over extended periods so agencies have cost-effective mechanisms for assessing and priority-ranking signal timing efforts.