An Extended Solution

to the Yellow Change

Interval Duration

Mats Jarlstrom
Jay Beeber

ITE 2016 Annual Meeting & Exhibit

Background
The compatible system and its order of precedence.

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The Current State-of-the-Art

GHMs 1960 paper;

The Problem of the Amber
Signal Light in Traffic Flow

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What GHM shared with us
Distance Time Warning Clearing

= 0 2 + 0 2 22 = 2 + 1/2 0 2 + ( + )0

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 GHMs Equations Describe Vehicle Motion
Distance Time Permissive All-Red

= 0 2 + 0 2 22 = 2 + 1/2 0 2 + ( + )0

Restrictive
Yellow Decision Entry Yellow Decision GO Entry
Onset Point Point Onset Point Point
0 0

STOP
Entry
Point

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 GHMs Equations With Familiar Variables
Distance Time
= 0 + 0 2 2 = + 0 2
ITE Kinematic Formula

Yellow Decision Entry Yellow Decision GO Entry

Onset Point Point Onset Point Point
0 0

STOP
Entry
Point

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 ITE Formula in BOTH Time and Distance
Decision
Point 0 (Stop)
Time (x-axis)
0 2 (Go)
= + 0 2
0

Distance (Area)
0
= 0 + 0 2 2
0 2 2

1/2 1/2

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GHM Solved a Stop/Go Problem at Constant Velocity
Decision
Point
0 (Stop)
0 2 (Go)
0
A Binary
0
0 2 2
Solution
1/2 1/2

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But what if you slow down
and dont stop?

How long does it take to

traverse the critical
distance?
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Problem: Slowing Down Without Stopping
0 (Stop)
0 2 (Go) Time to Traverse
Critical Distance:

0 2 < < 0
0
0 2 2

1/2 1/2

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A New Solution Including Deceleration
The new solution extends GHMs Stop or Go decision point to a range along the
MAXIMUM deceleration to a new intersection entry velocity variable ( ).

+ (0 ) + 2

New intersection entry velocity variable,

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A New Solution Calculated from the
Total Stopping Time
+ 0 (Stop) - 2
0

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Examples of Vehicle Maneuvers,
Some That Require Deceleration

Unimpeded Straight Through (GHM)

Impeded / Prudent Straight Through
Left Turn
Right Turn
U-Turn

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One Derivation
React Decelerate GO
One derivation of an extended
0 solution with the new
= + +
2 intersection entry velocity,
2 0
= + + If = 0 yields GHMs original solution
2 2
20 2 +
= +
2
20
= +
2
20
= +
2 2
0
= +
2 Where 0
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Another Derivation
A second derivation of an extended solution with the new
intersection entry velocity, 1 :
React STOP - GO Clear

= 2 + 0 2 1/2 1 2 + ( + )1

= 2 + (20 1 )22 + ( + )1

(20 1 ) ( + )
= 2 + +
22 1
Where 0 1 > 0
If 1 = 0 yields GHMs original solution
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An Extended Universal Graph
(ITE values)
 RACELOGIC VBOX Lite

A GPS and Video based

vehicle motion data
recorder.*

RACELOGIC data recorders are used by most automotive manufacturers world wide. The
VBOX models are specifically designed for race car drivers to improve their lap times.

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Custom Test System Block Diagram

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Custom Test System in Vehicle

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Test Area

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Vehicle Dynamics

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What comes next

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Summary

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