Signal timing
Open-knowledge reference entry
Signal timing is the technique which traffic engineers use to distribute right-of-way at a signalized intersection. The process includes selecting appropriate timing values, which are implemented in specialized traffic signal controllers. Signal timing involves deciding how much green time the traffic signal provides an intersection by movement or approach (depending on the lane configuration), how long the pedestrian WALK signal should be, whether trains or buses should be prioritized, and numerous other factors.
Basic signal timing operation
In signal timing fundamentals, there are different modes of operation that the signal controller can use to control the signal. Traffic signals may be grouped into two broad categories by their method of operation. They can either be pre-timed or actuated. Pre-timed signals provide each intersection approach a fixed amount of time on a predetermined basis, serving each approach consecutively, and repeating the pattern. In normal operation, no movements are skipped. An actuated traffic signal relies on a mechanism to detect vehicles as they approach the intersection. Where detection has occurred, green time is provided to that approach.
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This entry incorporates text from “Signal timing” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.