Traffic Control
FUNDAMENTALS OF TRAFFIC CONTROL
Concept
Traffic Control. Generally, it refers to procedures, devices, and communication systems that help
vehicles and vessels safety share the same roads, rails, waterways, or air space. Traffic control
establishes,
A. Traffic Control as Applied to Land Transportation. A system of traffic engineering,
employing prescribe traffic rule 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. In smaller towns, with lighter traffic, similar but simpler control devices and
engineering techniques are used.
B. Control Techniques. The primary emphasis of traffic control is on the safe and efficient flow
of cars, buses, vans, and lorries over urban streets and highways. The means of promoting this can vary
from simple improvement of local streets by installing traffic signs and road markings to constructing
comprehensive motorway control system. These systems are:
1. Access-road meter to monitor and control motorway;
2. Closed-circuit television surveillance to detect quickly any deterioration in traffic
flow; and
3. Emergency services 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. Motorists depend on traffic control devices to avoid collisions and
travel safely to their destinations. Traffic control devices for highway travel include signs, signal lights,
pavement markings, and a variety of devices placed on, over near, or even under, the roadway.
1. Traffic Sign. Traffic signs are the most extensively used form of traffic control in the
United States. More than 55 million traffic signs line 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 sign, 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 intersections and establish no-passing zones. White and yellow paint is customarily
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used for pavement markings. Reflective devices are more visible at night and are use in some
locations to mark lanes and other significant places on the road.
Traffic signs and road markings follows a uniform practice throughout the world and are
designed to convey information with the a minimum of words to avoid confusing drivers
unfamiliar with the area and the language. Uniform pictorial signs and markings have been
adopted throughout Europe and United States. They include uniform sign formats and sizes, and
uniform codes regulating traffic flow.
3. Traffic-Signal. Traffic signals are installed to permit safe movement of vehicles and
pedestrians at busy intersections. The signal light 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 than 100,000 vehicles per day. More than 60 percent of all miles driven each year are on
roadways controlled by traffic signals.
Traffic signals direct streams of vehicles and pedestrian 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 from of
transportation is given priority by restricting or banning other forms of transportation. In the
1st century BC, Roman Emperor Julius 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.
Bus-lanes and high-occupancy vehicles (HOV) lanes exist in many urban areas. Only
specified types of vehicles, primarily those carrying several occupants, can use these lanes by
giving priority to high-occupancy vehicle, transportation planners encourage carpooling and
reduce congestion.
5. 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 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.
TRAFFIC SIGNS
Concept:
Traffic signs, like traffic signal lights and road markings are used to convey quickly and
accurately the wide range of information needed by road users, particularly vehicle drivers, and to
promote a safe and efficient use of the road system.
Traffic Signs refer to any device mounted on portable support whereby a message is conveyed
by means of words or symbols officially installed for the purposes of regulating, warning, or guiding
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