Innovative Signal Timing Design and Operation Strategies to Improve Nighttime Arterial Safety

Details

• Creators:
  Lin, Pei-Sung ; Keita, Yaye ; Wang, Zhenyu ; Cui, Can ; Bialkowska-Jelinska, Ela ; Kolla, Rama Durga Tammayya Naidu
• Corporate Creators:
  University of South Florida. Center for Urban Transportation Research
• Corporate Contributors:
  Florida. Department of Transportation
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Nighttime crashes
  • Traffic signal timing
  • Strategic planning
  • Safety
  • Crashes
  • Technology
  • Arterial highways
  • Highway safety
  • Pedestrians
  • Case studies
  More +
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; Florida
• Edition:
  Final Report
• Corporate Publisher:
  Florida. Department of Transportation
• Description:
  Nighttime driving presents a disproportionate safety challenge on arterial roadways, particularly in Florida, where more than half of all traffic fatalities occur after dark despite lower traffic volumes. Nighttime conditions introduce multiple risk factors, including reduced visibility, increased speeding, impaired driving, and diminished driver expectancy, all of which contribute to greater crash severity. This study investigates how innovative traffic signal timing design and operational strategies can improve nighttime safety while maintaining efficient traffic flow along arterial corridors. The research employed a comprehensive, multi-method approach that integrates a literature review, stakeholder interviews, national case studies, and before-and-after field evaluations on selected Florida corridors. The analysis focused on signal timing strategies, including shorter cycle lengths, signal progression for speed management, early free operation, and rest-in-red control. It also evaluated pedestrian treatments such as rectangular rapid flashing beacons, pedestrian signals, and leading pedestrian intervals, together with emerging technologies including adaptive signal control, artificial intelligence-based analytics, enhanced detection systems, and connected vehicle applications. These strategies were assessed for their effectiveness in improving nighttime arterial safety. The findings demonstrate that nighttime-specific signal timing strategies reduce risky driving behaviors, improve traffic operations, and enhance pedestrian safety. Case studies and field evaluations reveal measurable reductions in unsafe driving behavior when optimized signal timing is combined with targeted pedestrian treatments. Overall, the research concludes that integrating nighttime signal timing strategies with coordinated operations using shorter cycle lengths, targeted infrastructure enhancements, and emerging technologies are essential for achieving sustainable improvements in nighttime arterial safety.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  BED25-977-27
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/93891/dot_93891_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 3.76 MB]
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:9032ccb0ca6a48bfdc8e88f2c06a90d52bdfa6e3f94770f3dcbcb29951ab202b97b8bffe0942580632904041df0c5157d19638e25c01d7b9eefec8461b3fff0e