441 - 738790 - Module 12

Module12- FUNDAMENTALS OF TRAFFIC CONTROL
Traffic Control. Generally, it refers to procedures, devices, and communication

systems that help vehicles and vessels safely share the same roads, rails, waterways,
or air space. Traffic control establishes a set of rules and instructions that drivers,
pilots, train engineers, and ship captains rely on to avoid collisions and other hazards.
Safe travel for pedestrians is an additional goal in highway traffic control.
A. As Applied to Land Transportation. A system of traffic engineering, employing

prescribed traffic rules and regulations and devices such as signals, and markings, to
relieve vehicular congestion and air pollution, and to promote safety and pedestrian
mobility, usually in heavily populated urban areas.
B. Control Techniques. Following are the comprehensive systems used:

1. access-road meters to monitor and control motorway;
2. closed-circuit television surveillance to detect quickly any deterioration in traffic flow;
and
3. emergency services to provide aid in case of accident and injury.
C. Other traffic-control techniques include:

1. the use of one-way streets,
2. enforcement of traffic flow regulations,
3. channelization (building traffic islands, turning lanes and so on), and
4. the use of traffic signals.
D. Highway Traffic control. Motorist depend on traffic control devices to avoid

collisions and travel safely to their destinations.
1. Traffic Signs. Traffic signs are the most extensively used form of traffic control
in the United States. More than 55 million traffic signs in the nation’s roadside.
They provide information about speed limits and road conditions. They direct
traffic along certain routes and to specific destinations. By using signs, traffic
control planners tell drivers what to do, what to watch for, and where to drive.
2. Pavement Markings. Pavement markings separate opposing streams of traffic
and direct vehicles into proper positions on the roadway. For example, pavement
markings delineate turn lanes at intersection and establish no-passing zones.
White and yellow paint is customarily used for pavement markings. Reflective
devices are more visible at night and are used in some locations to mark lanes
and other significant places on the road.
3. Traffic-Signal. Traffic signals are installed to permit safe movement of vehicles
and pedestrians at busy intersections. The light signal is probably the most easily
recognized traffic control device. At a busy intersection in a large city, a traffic
signal may control the movements of more than 100,000 vehicles per day.
Traffic signals direct streams of vehicles and pedestrians when to go, stop, or
proceed with caution. The signals increase the traffic handling capacity of most
intersections. They can work independently on timers, or connect to computer-
controlled system that operates over several intersections.
4. Priority Control. In one of the oldest method of traffic control, one form of
transportation is given priority by restricting or banning other forms of
transportation. In the 1st century BC, Roman Emperor Juluis Caesar banned
wheel traffic from Rome during daytime, which allowed pedestrians and horse
riders to move freely around the city. Some modern cities ban or restrict truck
travel through certain neighborhoods.
5. Restraints. As an alternative to banning traffic, traffic control planners use
devices to discourage heavy use of route. Island built in the centers of
intersections force drivers to proceed slowly. Speed bumps discourage high-
speed commuting through residential neighborhoods. Concrete median strips
prevent vehicles from making turns except at intersections.
Bus-lanes and high occupancy vehicles (HOV) lanes exist in many urban areas. Only
specified types of vehicles, primarily those carrying several occupants’ vehicles,
primarily those carrying several occupants, can use these lanes. By giving priority to
high occupancy vehicles, transportation planners encourage carpooling and reduce
congestions.
6. Restraints. As an alternative to banning traffic, traffic control planners use

devices to discourage heavy use of a route. Island built in the centers of
intersection force drivers t proceed slowly. Speed bumps discourage high-speed
commuting through residential neighborhoods. Concrete median strips prevent
vehicles from making turns except at intersection.

441 - 738790 - Module 12

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

441 - 738790 - Module 12

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Read this document in other languages

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

441 - 738790 - Module 12

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Module12- FUNDAMENTALS OF TRAFFIC CONTROL

Traffic Control. Generally, it refers to procedures, devices, and communication

A. As Applied to Land Transportation. A system of traffic engineering, employing

B. Control Techniques. Following are the comprehensive systems used:

C. Other traffic-control techniques include:

D. Highway Traffic control. Motorist depend on traffic control devices to avoid

6. Restraints. As an alternative to banning traffic, traffic control planners use

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.