Traffic Signal Detection Systems

Jeffrey W. Buckholz, PhD, P.E., PTOE

Course Outline

This three hour online course presents information regarding detection systems for traffic signals:

1. BASIC DESCRIPTION OF DETECTOR ASSEMBLIES
2. LOCKING AND. NON-LOCKING OPERATION
3. MOTION VS. PRESENCE DETECTION
4. TYPES OF VEHICLE DETECTOR ASSEMBLIES
5. OVERHEAD VEHICLE DETECTION
6. UNDERGROUND VEHICLE DETECTION
7. DETERMINING LOOP INDUCTANCE
8. INDUCTIVE LOOP INSTALLATION
9. INDUCTIVE LOOP TESTING
10. DILEMMA ZONE PROTECTION
11. PEDESTRIAN DETECTION
    

This course includes a multiple choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

• Recognize the various components of a detection system;
• Know the effect of detector length and location on signal operation;
• Understand the advantages of non-locking operation;
• Recognize the various types of underground and overhead detection;
• Understand how to calculate the inductance of a loop assembly;
• Be familiar with the steps involved in loop installation and testing;
• Know how to provide dilemma zone protection through detection design; and
• Understand the basic of pedestrian detection.

Intended Audience

 This course is intended for civil engineers, electrical engineers, highway engineers and traffic engineers.

Benefit to Attendees

Attendee of this course will obtain a solid foundation in the design and operation of both vehicular and pedestrian detection systems at signalized intersections.

Course Introduction

This Traffic Signal Operations course presents information regarding vehicle and pedestrian detection systems used in modern traffic signal control.  The material is intended to provide a practical overview of detection types, components, and operational characteristics.  This is not an introductory course and a basic knowledge of traffic signal operation is assumed.

Course Content

The course content is in a PDF file:

Traffic Signal Detection Systems

Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.

Course Summary

This course presents information regarding detection systems for actuated traffic signals. 

Related Links

2006 FHWA Traffic Detector Handbook
Texas A&M Paper on Alternative Detection Technologies
A System for Wireless Vehicle Detection
Buckholz Traffic Website Articles

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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