ADVERSE WEATHER TRAFFIC SIGNAL TIMING

Abstract

Gridlock is often the result of adverse weather, which creates a complete breakdown of a traffic signal system. Because of snow and icy conditions; slower startup times, slower speeds, and abnormal driver behavior result. A study is being performed for the Minnesota Department of Transportation to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a traffic signal timing plan for a coordinated signal system that will accommodate traffic in adverse weather conditions. The purpose of the study is to determine what impact bad weather has on the operation of a coordinated traffic signal system and to determine if it would be beneficial to develop a traffic signal timing plan to accommodate the adverse weather conditions. The corridor being studied is a 3-mi (5-km) section of Trunk Highway 36 with a five-signal system in the northeast portion of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. Weather data were collected both at the site and from a remote weather information system station located approximately 5 mi (8 km) away. Traffic data were collected both in the field and from the signal system master controller. This paper documents the process that was taken to determine the effectiveness of an adverse weather signal timing plan. It includes the data collection that was performed, the analysis of both traffic and weather data, and preliminary conclusions of the study.