'Neighborhood Traffic Control - Do You Really Want a Traffic Signal?'

摘要

Neighborhood traffic control continues to be of major importance to residents who are typically concerned about safe pedestrian crossings and vehicle access to their neighborhood collector street. Many traffic diverters have been studied over the years to discourage both speeding and through traffic on these streets. Traffic signals are an effective traffic control device to help control speeding, provide safe pedestrian crossings and reduce delay for vehicles which are entering or crossing the collector street. However, many traffic engineers, planners and politicians are increasingly opposed to traffic signals on their street because of the potential for additional traffic diverting to the residential streets and into the neighborhood. This paper presents a case study of benefits, drawbacks and public reaction to installing traffic signals as neighborhood traffic control devices in Madison, Wisconsin. The study focused on a four lane undivided collector street which serves adjacent neighborhoods and is also a major route to the downtown area. Seven alternative traffic signal scenarios were evaluated with respect to progression, vehicle platoons, speed control, pedestrian crossing safety and gaps at unsignalized intersections. TRAF-NETSIM animation was used to illustrate the alternatives to the public. Traffic control diverters were studied and compared to traffic signals. In addition, guidelines for public presentation of traffic signals as a neighborhood traffic control device are discussed.