A CONTROL SCHEME FOR HIGH TRAFFIC DENSITY SECTORS

The proposed control scheme is based on 'spillback avoidance' approach rather than the conventional 'progressive movement' approach. This plan is characterized by signal splits which reflect the need to service the growing east-west cross street demands in the direction of travel, yet provide near optimal offsets and splits to the north-south arterial traffic. Under this scheme, the signal offsets for the cross streets exhibit a 'backward progression' which is optimal (or near optimal) for streets with long queues and slow discharge headways. Comparison of the results indicated that the number and duration of spillback blockages were markedly decreased, with a concommitant reduction in vehicle travel time and number of stops, coupled with an increase in vehicle trips serviced.