ET102-WK5-5

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ECPI University, Virginia Beach *

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102

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Geography

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Oct 30, 2023

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docx

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EET110 Traffic Light Improvement Instructor: Dr. Robert A Frank Campus: Project 5.2 Assignment 5.2 Project Part 1 Student Name(s): Douglas Garret

2 Table of Contents Table of Tables ............................................................................................................................................. 2 Abstract ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 3 Procedures ................................................................................................................................................... 3 Data Presentation & Analysis ....................................................................................................................... 4 Design Modifications ................................................................................................................................... 6 Program Flow .............................................................................................................................................. 6 Conclusion and Future Work ....................................................................................................................... 9 References ................................................................................................................................................... 9 Honor Pledge: I pledge to support the Honor System of ECPI. I will refrain from any form of academic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that as a member of the academic community, it is my responsibility to turn in all suspected violators of the honor code. I understand that any failure on my part to support the Honor System will be turned over to a Judicial Review Board for determination. I will report to the Judicial Review Board hearing if summoned. Table of Tables Table 1 Timings during normal conditions ................................................................................................... 4 Douglas Garret 05/09/23

3 Abstract In this illustration, there are three parts. The first part will consist of this paper that will showcase the improvements to the traffic light system. This improvement is the ability of the traffic light to sense weather conditions and change the yellow light timer appropriately. The second part is an excel document that shows the formulas and data used to by this weather sensing timer. The third part of this illustration is the presentation of the main talking points along with a video of the proposed design working. The design changes consist of a weather sensor that can detect temperature and humidity. This will allow the traffic lights to modify the yellow light timings to account for poor road conditions and reduce the risk of an accident. Introduction I am sure we have all heard the infamous tire squealing at a traffic light. Whether an accident is caused or a near miss was heard, this is exactly what this improvement to the traffic light will help remedy. The modification to the traffic light adds one simple element, the weather-sensing timer. This sensor will adjust the yellow light based on two conditions, temperature, and humidity. This will give drivers more time to react and clear the intersection under poor weather conditions such as rain or ice. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the yellow light signal time when properly adequate can reduce crashes. (IIHS 2023) By having an adaptive yellow light signal time based on the conditions of the road, the yellow light signal time can be lengthened or shortened to reduce the likelihood of a near miss or accident. Procedures In the first part of this experiment, I wanted to establish an idea of what the yellow light signal time was on a clear sunny day. You can see the yellow light signal times on page 5 image 1. These yellow light signal times capture the time given to clear a 90ft, 120ft, 150ft, and 180ft intersection safely in optimal weather conditions. The vehicle lengths were determined based on the average size of a large pickup because it’s the larger of the vehicles. According to way.com, the average size of a pickup truck is 18ft. (WAY 2023) The deceleration factor of 11.2 ft/sec^2 is based on the data from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (DTFHA) calculations. (DTFHA 2014) Lastly, a reaction time of 0.75 is used. The Delaware Motor Vehicle Division (DMV) claims that the average reaction time for most drivers is 0.75 seconds. (DMV.DE 2023) To help reduce the likelihood of an accident during Douglas Garret 05/09/23

4 inclement weather, I have decided to further reduce the deceleration of the vehicles to 9.8ft/sec^2. I also increased the reaction time as visibility during rain and snow can increase the likelihood that a vehicle will not stop in time. This can be seen on the graphs on page 6 image 2, the yellow light interval is increased allowing vehicles more time to clear the intersection and stop during bad weather. The design of the weather-sensing traffic light timer uses a localized weather station to provide the traffic light module with an open circuit during normal weather conditions. When weather conditions change below 32 degrees, or humidity is over 98%, the circuit is closed, and the traffic light module reverts to its inclement weather parameters. These parameters allow for increased yellow light times for fog, rain, snow, and ice. Data Presentation & Analysis In Table 1 below, you will see the different yellow light intervals along with the red clearance interval times during normal weather for each of the 4 sized intersections at 4 different speeds. Using the formula (Y=t+1.74V/2a+64.4g) derived from the Virginia Police Department for calculating yellow light intervals. (VBPD 2023) Using this formula we could calculate the safe yellow light intervals needed during normal weather conditions. We could also plug and play different road grades, intersection widths, reaction times, and deceleration times. Based on other research and common sense, we can change the values to improve the traffic light system. Changing the reaction time and deceleration during inclement weather will increase the yellow light interval giving drivers more time to clear the intersection. You can view this in image 2 on page 6. Table 1 Timings during normal conditions Intersection Posted Speed Limit Adjusted Speed Limit * Grade Width of Intersection PRT Deceleration Vehicle Length Yellow Interval Red Clearance Interval Photo taken after V (mph) V* (mph) g W (ft) t (sec) a (ft/sec 2 ) L (ft) Y (sec) R (sec) TV (sec) 1 30 37 0 90 0.75 11.2 18 3.18 0.99 4.66 35 42 0 90 0.75 11.2 18 3.51 0.75 4.76 45 52 0 90 0.75 11.2 18 4.16 0.41 5.08 50 57 0 90 0.75 11.2 18 4.49 0.29 5.28 2 30 37 0 120 0.75 11.2 18 3.18 1.54 5.22 35 45 0 120 0.75 11.2 18 3.70 1.09 5.29 Douglas Garret 05/09/23

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