Skip to main content

Introduction to traffic signals

A new book by Alastair Gollop, senior ITS consultant at Mott McDonald, Traffic Signals, offers a comprehensive guide to traffic signals from first principles and design issues to equipment and testing, commissioning and assessments. In addition, there are sections covering the history and future of signals. Although based on equipment and operating systems utilised in the UK, the principles covered are relevant to users worldwide. Aimed at anyone interested by traffic signals, Gollop says the book assume
March 10, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
A new book by Alastair Gollop, senior ITS consultant at Mott McDonald, Traffic Signals, offers a comprehensive guide to traffic signals from first principles and design issues to equipment and testing, commissioning and assessments. In addition, there are sections covering the history and future of signals. Although based on equipment and operating systems utilised in the UK, the principles covered are relevant to users worldwide.

Aimed at anyone interested by traffic signals, Gollop says the book assumes no prior knowledge, but builds to a complete introduction to the subject. It is primarily aimed at traffic signal practitioners of all levels, graduate engineers seeking an introduction to the field and members of other engineering specialism's and client groups wishing to further their understanding of the subject.

Traffic Signals looks at the way in which modern signals operate and the equipment commonly used in current traffic control systems in the UK. It also looks at how signalised junctions and crossings are designed, explaining the fundamental design principles, and how these are used by modern software modelling tools to predict traffic operation.
 
Included within the book is a set of standard detail drawings which are commonly used when specifying and designing projects.

Related Content

  • Getting more for less from traffic data
    August 15, 2012
    Collection of traffic and transit data has grown significantly, combining with advances in connectivity and computational modelling to good effect. Desire to do more with less – to make budgets go further – has helped create a boom in the collection and study of traffic and transport data. Studies are becoming longer, greater in number and further in-depth as more intelligence is sought, plus, transportation agencies are looking to make processes of data collection less costly, or more efficient.
  • Go wireless with Traffic Group
    December 2, 2021
    Wireless temporary traffic light system - Metro Haul Route Crossing System - launched
  • Prowag signals change to vision statement
    February 15, 2024
    New pedestrian signal requirements designed to make crossings safer for the visually impaired mean that accessible signals are no longer just an option for US cities and municipalities. They now have the backing of the law, explains Andrew Stone
  • Q&A: Samuel Johnson, IBTTA
    February 18, 2020
    Samuel Johnson, chief operations officer for the Transportation Corridor Agencies in Orange County, California - and 2020 IBTTA president - talks about his background and career...