Lighting - Traffic Lights

Description

 

Traffic signals are a means of controlling traffic movement to ensure safety where conflict is likely. Most commonly they are at junctions where vehicles need to cross or join another stream of traffic but it is so busy that they have difficulty in doing so. They work by stopping one stream of traffic with a red light whilst permitting a conflicting stream to proceed on a green light. Pedestrians can also be controlled in a similar manner, a red man signal telling them not to go and a green man signal indicating when it is safe to cross.

The signals consist of signal heads with lamps in them (the aspects) mounted on poles controlled by electronics mounted in a cabinet and connected by cables running underground. Vehicles are detected using either loops set in the carriageway or above ground detectors. Pedestrians usually have to use a push button fixed to the poles to indicate their presence.

Some signals are connected to an area wide control arrangement that seeks to reduce delays to a minimum by constantly checking traffic flow on each leg of the junction, and adjusting the allocation of green time to balance queues and delay. Remember the capacity of a junction is fixed by its geometry - signals only allocate green time giving more to drivers on one approach or to pedestrians will mean less time for other drivers. When long queues exist on all approaches the junction probably needs a major improvement scheme.

 

Eligibility

 

Anyone can contact the Council to suggest the need for traffic signals, or to report a defect with existing traffic signals.

 

Procedure

 

Signals will normally only be provided where a set of criteria is satisfied. This criteria takes into account factors such as :-

• how busy the main road is
• the volume of traffic joining it from a minor road
• any accident history
• poor sight lines
• ability to stop vehicles (particularly on the main road) in safety
• number of pedestrians or cyclists needing to cross at that point

A further consideration may be the desirability to fit in with a particular control strategy, for example, to give priority to buses.

Signals are not normally provided in remote areas or on high speed roads.

If it is satisfied that signals are feasible and will be of benefit it will allocate funding and a scheme will be designed.

The Council employs a specialist Contractor to repair faults.

 

Helplines

 

Highways and Engineering General Enquiries, telephone: 01226 773555.

 

 

Opening Times/Locations

Opening Times and Locations

How can the customer help

 

When contacting the Highways Service please give an accurate location by referring to all street names at the junction, if possible.

Let us know the problem that you think signals will solve. If we cannot provide signals, we may be still able to suggest an alternative solution to the problem that concerns you.

When reporting a fault please give as much information as possible, for example, nearside red light out in Doncaster Road on approach to Sheffield Road signals in Barnsley.

 

Application form references

 

Report a Broken Traffic Light

 

Leaflets

 

Highway Code (available from The Stationery Office)

How to use a puffin crossing (available from the Department for Transport)

Traffic Advisory Leaflets (available from the Department for Transport)

 

Distribution Points

 

Please click on the links for The Stationery Office and the Department for Transport on the right hand side (Associated Links).

The Highway Code is also available from good book shops.

 

Legislation

 

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, Part V

Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002, SI 2002 No 3113.

 

Response Times/Next Steps

 

Routine faults are dealt with very quickly - no more than a couple of days. More complex faults may require a temporary 'fix' and a permanent repair later.

When a new signal installation has been asked for this requires a considerable amount of work so you will only get an acknowledgement that it is being investigated.

A final decision cannot be given until all the surveys have been completed and reports submitted.

Where a scheme is feasible a draft layout design will be needed and estimates of costs prepared.

Funding will need to be in place as well before the scheme can proceed.

It is likely therefore to take at least 10 weeks before we will know if a scheme is feasible and at least a further 10 weeks before we have a draft scheme and estimate.

 

Out of Hours Procedure

 

Faults may be reported to 01226 773555 24 hours a day.

 

 

Additional Notes

Signals are technological devices that are constantly being improved. However, manufacturers have to have their equipment approved before being used on the public highway. Barnsley currently has a contract with Siemens Traffic Controls, and has been used as a test site for some of its latest signal control innovations.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why don't the signals change quicker?

Signals have to be set up to operate safely. There are regulations that prevent signals changing too quickly for safety reasons. Also the signals rely on detecting vehicles, and if this detection is damaged, for example, by road works, then a default setting has to be used which will not be an optimum setting.

Why can't I have a set of signals at the end of my street to help me get out onto the main road?

Signals have to be justified. They not only have a capital cost to install but also place a continuous demand on revenue budgets to maintain and operate. Only when the benefits are greater than the cost will a set of signals be considered. Individuals may suffer fairly long delays but it is overall delay and safety that is important when considering signal provision.

 

Related Links:

• The Department for Transport Website
• The Stationery Office Website

Last modified on 16/9/2008