Some interesting questions of traffic signal control HELMI and Public Transport Priority functions (skipped, discussed already on lectures) Joker signals Low cost traffic controil in the city of Helsinki BePolite bicycle signals - unique in the world OIVA-partial traffic signal control Tram Warning Control for Pedestrians Precise Long Green for Small Folks Tram Attention Stripes for Pedestrians A real life trial of traffic signal control Thinking models of traffic control The game of wins and losses in traffic control City of Helsinki
Intelligent Low Cost Traffic Control from the City of Helsinki Special Traffic Signal for Cyclists BePolite Partial Traffic Signal Model OIVA Tram Warning Control for Pedestrians VAROVA Precise Long Green for Small Folk Tram Attention Stripes for Pedestrians All traffic signal control concepts mentioned above are developed in good cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications Most of these are already or will be later included in the national traffic signal code on the basis of the experiments and studies done in Helsinki
OIVA Partial signal control model Case Ilmattarentie Complex junctions are ineffective to control with signals and it leads to long delays to all traffic Signal stages Problem: The Finnish signal code requires that all the directions of the junction should be controlled OIVA Partial signal control concept During red light drivers must wait During the flashing yellow light drivers can carefully enter to the junction yielding all the other traffic Case Mikonkatu Flashing yellow OIVA concept leaves consideration to the driver this will decrease signal delays remarkably
Intelligent Low Cost Traffic Control from the City of Helsinki Special Traffic Signal for Cyclists BePolite Partial Traffic Signal Model OIVA Tram Warning Control for Pedestrians VAROVA Precise Long Green for Small Folk Tram Attention Stripes for Pedestrians All traffic signal control concepts mentioned above are developed in good cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications Most of these are already or will be later included in the national traffic signal code on the basis of the experiments and studies done in Helsinki
Dilemma at signalised pedestrian crossings with trams S S Finnish traffic signal code: Pedestrian crosswalk over tramway must be controlled if crosswalks over vehicle lanes are controlled It is not fair timing to keep pedestrian green over tramway if signals over vehicle lanes are red because pedestrians in a hurry may take a look on the wrong signal Principles of a new control mode VAROVA 1. Pedestrian green signal over tramway is removed 2. Pedestrian red signal over tramway is doubled 3. During red signal an strong audiable signal is used 4. Tram signal control is not changed. VAROVA -type signal control is already used in Sweden and several European countries Tram phase Pedestrian phase
VAROVA Tram Warning Control for Pedestrians In Finland pedestrian crosswalks over tramway must be controlled when crosswalks over vehicle lanes are controlled with traffic signals Problems: 1) Pedestrians normally violate red light crossing tramway when no trams are approaching 2) Green light can not be used in tramway crossing only, because some pedestrians may misunderstand signal heads on each crosswalk VAROVA signal heads over tram crossing Red light only when tram is approaching Strengthened with a strong audible signal Otherwise signals are dark Two parallel signal heads later one great (300 mm) signal head with the white contour around the figure 300 mm Now in use Used in 2016
Results of pedestrian video recordings and interviews Red walking over tramway decreased clearly Pedestrians walking on green/dark signal on red signal on intergreen (red) Main Post House Finlandia House 9% 2% 9% 28% Red walking over vehicle lanes slightly increased, especially just before the end of the tram green extension 7% 11% 17% 18% Most pedestrians (54%) prefered new VAROVA control to traditional control 54% Tram drivers prefered the 33% traditional control but accepted also new VAROVA installations, however, not in the crosswalks with heavy pedestrian volumes 44% 34% VAROVA is better Conventional is better Mixed No opinion
Some ideas for developing VAROVA control in future Decrease pedestrian red walking Veh Tram Veh Vehicle green is connected to tram green extension might be dangerous Vehicle green is terminated few seconds before the end of the tram green extension Ped Ped Peh Tram green extension Red walking increased mostly during this period Tram green extension Pedestrians may start few seconds before the end of the tram green extension Increase the understanding of the dark signal head First stage in use In 2016 300 mm Double red signal heads (200 mm) are a strong visual effect Dark signal heads give no information for pedestrians, unfortunately Single large (300 mm) red signal head is very visual, effect, too White pedestrian contour on a dark signal is a clear information to pedestrians
Intelligent Low Cost Traffic Control from the City of Helsinki Special Traffic Signal for Cyclists BePolite Partial Traffic Signal Model OIVA Tram Warning Control for Pedestrians VAROVA Precise Long Green for Small Folk Tram Attention Stripes for Pedestrians All traffic signal control concepts mentioned above are developed in good cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications Most of these are already or will be later included in the national traffic signal code on the basis of the experiments and studies done in Helsinki
Precise Long Green for Small Folk Group of school children must daily cross the heavy loaded street when going to their sport trainings Problem: The pedestrian green is not enough it should be twice as long as normal Smart card under the pedestrian push button Precise long green concept 1. Teacher has a smart card 2. The smart card is taken near the pedestrian push button 3. The bright spot on the corner of the signal head blinks teacher is confirmed that everything is OK 4. The next pedestrian green is long enough for all the children crossing the street Figure by courtesy of Swarco Finland bright spot The new advanced long green concept (remote control, no push buttons) is manufactured by TJ-Yhtymä, Finland
Why has nobody told me about it Drivers frustrated on the long red time have - after they have informed about the objective and functions of the pedestrian precise long green have unexceptionally supported the solution, and some of them even praised it: then I have never to await unnecessarily in red lights
Intelligent Low Cost Traffic Control from the City of Helsinki Special Traffic Signal for Cyclists BePolite Partial Traffic Signal Model OIVA Tram Warning Control for Pedestrians VAROVA Precise Long Green for Small Folk Tram Attention Stripes for Pedestrians All traffic signal control concepts mentioned above are developed in good cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications Most of these are already or will be later included in the national traffic signal code on the basis of the experiments and studies done in Helsinki
Tram Attention Stripes for Pedestrians Yellow flashing signals are used in Helsinki as tram attention (warning) lights LED stripe concept is manufactured by Marimils, Finland Problem: This kind of control will not help pedestrians; in most cases pedestrians do not notice signals at all. Attention stripes for pedestrians High visibility LED stripes are located just in front of the tramway Mounted on the surface of the pavement LED colour is amber (yellow) Actuated functions stripes are flashing when the tram is approaching and the flashing terminates instantly when the tram has passed the crossing point Vehicles have normal signal heads
The new traffic code The new national traffic code shall be included several topics developed in Helsinki with the cooperation of Ministry of Transportation Joker signals Public transport signals BePolite signals Lets discuss of the last two ones
Joukkoliikenneopastin Signals for the public transport http://www.liikennevalot.info/tieto/joukkoliikenneopastin.shtml
Polkupyöräkaistalta oikeaan Right-turn-on-red from the bicycle lane»netherlands»paris»advanced BePolite? http://www.liikennevalot.info/tieto/uusipolkupyoraopastin.shtml
A real scale laboratory trial of traffic in ROAD CONSTRUCTION SITE OF HAKAMÄKI 31.10.2007- Morning Peak 8.15 A.M.
A real trial of traffic flow The new stage of Hakamäentie road construction works Wednesday 31.10.2007 Green split (morning peak) - Inbound 40 32 sec - Westbound 22 21 sec - Eastbound 22 21 sec Queues inbound 3-4 kms, outbound 2 kms Delays for buses in worst cases ½ hours Corrections adjustments of splits Friday 9.11.2007 (morning peak) - Inbound 32 38 sec - Westbound 21 sec - Eastbound 22 sec Problems disappeared (totally) Can traffic control help or solve the problem?
What are the real reasons of traffic congestions Wait a moment RANDOM DISTURBANCE l wrong parking l accident l bad weather conditions POOR TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT l traffic signal faïlure l lack of turning lane l work site ENVIRONMENT TOLERANCE l vitality of downtown area l pedestrian confort l traffic safety Use public transport Call the city planner
Thinking models of traffic control Adjust use the connection more effective model of a layman thinking Pack use the space more effective model of transportation experts Route use the network more effective model of telematics systems Inform use the information more effective model of information society
Thinking models of traffic control Adjust Traffic networks Bottlenecs are always in junctions Urban links seldom limit the capacity Traffic capacity has always the upper limit 2000 vehicles per hour/ lane (1.9 sec/veh) 50 sec green = only 30 vehicles per green 40 cycles /h * 30 vehicles = 1200 veh/h Helsinki A.M. peak inbound = 22 000* a/h (18 lanes in use 1222 vehicles/lane) Morning Peak Capacity Strategy in Helsinki Bottleneck is always somewhere ahead, adjust in best area and keep vehicles moving Sure it does not solve the problem * Boundary of the inner city area
GATING POINTS TO THE CENTRE OF HELSINKI Joker line in tunnel 5 km Joker line Legend Motorway Bus lane Bus by-pass Centre Natural gating point (junction with signals)
Thinking models of traffic control Route If main roads are conguested, lead the traffic to other roads to other main roads have they really extra capacity? traffic corridors real time navigation to local street network - how often? every day or only during special events what about traffic safety? what about enviromental aspects? This does not solve the problem, at least not permanently
Thinking models of traffic control Inform Disturbances increase if I knew, shall I leave home 15 minutes later shall I take the bus today shall I use an other route Real time navigation will help already but what about peak periods? This does not solve the problem, but it really helps
Thinking models of traffic control Pack Rails Traditional use rail and other public transport Vehicles as trains Automatic vehicles With automatic vehicles the problem of space still remains
OBJECTS OF SIGNAL CONTROL The game of wins and losses even traffic control needs selection of values SAFETY (Accidents) Pedestrians have separate green with turning vehicles Left turning vehicles have always filter signals More bicycle signals Longer intergreens ENERGY (Emissions, Smooth traffic) No signal control during nights No signals at minor junctions Two-stage pedestrian crosswalks No public transport priority Shorter green in minor approaches ENVIRONMENT (Urban mobility) More junctions with left turning possibilities More two-way streets More pedestrian crosswalks Lesser lanes
Thank you Traffic signal control has a long tradition as a smart traffic service it is not really out of fashion