Adjusting Traffic Signal Tinning in Inclement Weather

摘要

Winter weather often causes gridlock along arterial systems in cold climates. Snow and ice typically alter driver behavior and patterns of travel demand. This renders the normal traffic signal coordination plans inappropriate, because the plans typically are developed for normal weather conditions and typical driver behavior. With funding from the New England Transportation Consortium, researchers recently evaluated the impact of inclement weather, at varying degrees of severity, on driver behavior at signalized intersections. The researchers specifically looked at startup lost time and discharge headway—that is, the distance between vehicles moving through an intersection. They evaluated the likely benefits of implementing signal timing plans specially tailored for inclement weather.