Problem 5: Signalization of Okeechobee Road

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The Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is the primary resource for determining whether a traffic signal is the appropriate application for a particular location. The MUTCD has a series of signal warrants that evaluate various aspects of an intersection to provide the engineer with guidelines for consideration in making this decision.

An HCM analysis of an unsignalized intersection alone is not enough to justify that a traffic signal is warranted at a particular location. In the case of this particular intersection, the engineering study considered the primary function of Okeechobee Road, adjacent facilities that could be considered, and the feasibility of a higher type interchange in concert with the operations of the Krome Avenue northbound movement.

That being said, we have estimated that a TWSC will result in significant delay to the northbound left-turn movement onto Okeechobee Road from Krome Avenue, and a traffic signal should be considered as a potential control alternative to accommodate the projected traffic volumes. Problem 5 will explore various aspects of the HCM treatment of signalization as it applies to this intersection.

Procedures are provided in HCM Chapter 16 for the analysis of signalized intersections. The procedures may be applied to each lane group to produce separate control delay estimates. The lane group values may then be combined in a volume-weighted manner to produce aggregate estimates for each approach and for the intersection as a whole.

Sub-problem 5a. Two-phase Traffic Signal Control

Sub-problem 5b. Three-phase Traffic Signal Control, adding a protected left turn

Sub-problem 5c. Pre-timed vs. Traffic-Actuated Operation