Engineering Professional Programs

Course Faculty: Peter Koonce, Scott Beaird and Lee Rodegerdts

This two-day course focuses on the terms associated with signal timing, relating practice in the field with analysis completed using the Highway Capacity Manual and other traffic engineering software. Participants will discuss the concepts of cycle length, split, forceoff, offset, phasing, as well as the signal timing process. In the context of regional and system/design considerations, the course will highlight the effects of actuated control including passage time, extension and pedestrian timing. The course also covers the development of timing plans, explores types of signal control (including adaptive and priority-based), and investigates the relationship of signal timing to ITS.

Course Topics

Introduction to intersection signalization and signal coordination

Signal timing concepts and critical movement analysis

Overview of signal design elements and analysis related to signal timing

Isolated signal timing, including change and clearance intervals, pedestrian timing, and actuated timing parameters

Coordinated signal timing

Overview of common signal timing tools

Signal timing concepts and analysis for urban streets and interchanges

Development and evaluation of signal timing plans

Advanced topics including next generation systems, metropolitan coordination of streets and freeways, ITS, preemption concepts, and transit priority.

Who Should Attend

This course is for new and experienced engineering personnel involved in analysis of signalized intersections, arterial street systems, and signal timing operations. While much of the course is focused on signal timing theory and practice, material will be introduced that challenges the state of the practice to move toward best practice that is currently being discussed among FHWA, ITE and TRB. The course is also useful for individuals working directly with ITS and signal systems.

Continuing Education Units and Professional Development Hours

Course participants will earn 1.4 CEUs/14 PDHs upon successful completion of this course. The CEU is a nationally recognized measure of participation in a noncredit continuing education program that meets established criteria for increasing knowledge and competency.