Traffic Signals Manual (TFF)

1 Traffic Signals ManualRevised June 2020 2020 by Texas Department of Transportation(512) 463-8630 all rights reservedManual Notice 2020-1 From:Michael A. Chacon, , Traffic safety DivisionManual: Traffic Signals ManualEffective Date:June 01, 2020 PurposeThe purpose of this Manual notice is to advise users of the Traffic Signals Manual that the Manual has been revised to include new and updated information on the installation and operation of Traffic Signals on the state highway contents of the Traffic Signals Manual have changed as follows:Removed Chapter 4, Section 5 pertaining to Red Light Cameras on State ROW. Effective June 2, 2019, per HB 1631, 86th Texas Legislature, local authorities are no longer permitted to install or operate photographic Traffic signal enforcement systems, or red light cameras, on streets under their jurisdiction, including state right-of-way.

2 This legislation rendered the information on installation and design of these systems TxDOT General Counsel Division (GCD) and Compliance Division (CMP) reviewed the draft, and approved the revision made to this questions concerning content of the revised Manual to David Valdez, , of the Traffic Engineering Section of the Traffic safety Division at 512-416-2642, or by email at Manual notices are available in a PDF Signals Manuali TxDOT 6/2020 Table of ContentsChapter 1 IntroductionSection 1 Overview .. 1-2 Scope of this Manual .. 1-2 Traffic Signal Policy .. 1-2 The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD) .. 1-3 Using the TMUTCD .. 1-3 Traffic Signal Agreements.. 1-3 Traffic Signal Project Process Overview.. 1-3 Section 2 Traffic safety Division Support .. 1-5 TRF Support Functions .. 1-5 Signal System Analysis.

3 1-5 Specification Writing and Maintenance .. 1-5 Section 3 Equipment Acquisition .. 1-7 Acquisition Methods .. 1-7 Acquisition through SSD Regional Supply Center .. 1-7 Acquisition through Small Purchase .. 1-7 Acquisition through Blanket Order .. 1-7 Acquisition through Construction Contract.. 1-8 Coordinating First Time Purchases with TRF .. 1-8 Equipment Testing.. 1-8 Product Prequalification .. 1-8 Equipment for Contract Jobs .. 1-9 Chapter 2 Requests for Traffic SignalsSection 1 Sources of Requests .. 2-2 Introduction .. 2-2 Requests from Unincorporated Areas .. 2-2 Requests from Incorporated Areas .. 2-2 Requests from Private Organizations .. 2-3 Section 2 Action on Requests .. 2-4 Districts Act on Requests.. 2-4 Acknowledgment of Request.. 2-4 Process Overview .. 2-4 Chapter 3 Traffic StudiesSection 1 Overview.

4 3-2 Introduction .. 3-2 Responsibility .. 3-2 Traffic Signals Manualii TxDOT 6/2020 Costs .. 3-2 Required Information.. 3-2 Warrant Analysis Data.. 3-3 Recommending Against Installation .. 3-3 Section 2 Condition Diagram .. 3-4 Introduction .. 3-4 Information Sources.. 3-4 Additional Necessary Information.. 3-4 Section 3 Location Map and Photographs .. 3-6 Location Map.. 3-6 Photographs .. 3-6 Section 4 Crash Data .. 3-7 Introduction .. 3-7 Section 5 Vehicle and Pedestrian Traffic Counts .. 3-8 Introduction .. 3-8 Types of Counts .. 3-8 Vehicle Counts at Existing Locations .. 3-8 Counting Techniques .. 3-9 Recording Manual Counts .. 3-9 Estimated and Projected Counts .. 3-9 Pedestrian Counts .. 3-10 School Pedestrian Counts .. 3-10 Section 6 Approach Speeds.. 3-11 Introduction .. 3-11 Section 7 Traffic Survey Count Analysis.

5 3-12 Count Data Processing.. 3-12 The Traffic Survey Count Analysis Form .. 3-12 Section 8 Intersection Delay Study .. 3-13 Introduction .. 3-13 Time of Study .. 3-13 Equipment .. 3-13 Form.. 3-13 Procedure .. 3-13 Study Results .. 3-14 Chapter 4 Operational ConsiderationsSection 1 Overview .. 4-2 Introduction .. 4-2 Equipment Repair .. 4-2 Traffic Signals Manualiii TxDOT 6/2020 Section 2 Coordinated Operation .. 4-3 Introduction .. 4-3 Coordinating Operations with Other Jurisdictions .. 4-3 Advantages of Coordinated Operation .. 4-3 Drawbacks of Coordinated Operation .. 4-3 Determining Effectiveness of a Coordinated Operation .. 4-4 Section 3 Preemption .. 4-5 Preemption by Railroad Equipment.. 4-5 Preemption by Emergency Vehicles .. 4-5 Section 4 Flashing Operation .. 4-6 Introduction.

6 4-6 Malfunction Flash .. 4-6 Maintenance Flash .. 4-6 Railroad Preemption Flash .. 4-6 Scheduled Flash .. 4-6 Left-Turn Flash .. 4-7 Chapter 5 Traffic Signal ProjectsSection 1 Overview .. 5-2 Introduction .. 5-2 Authorization Request Form .. 5-2 Recommending Against Installation .. 5-2 Removal of Traffic Signals .. 5-3 City Traffic Signal Installation Using Local Funds.. 5-4 Project Cancellations or Change .. 5-4 Section 2 Traffic Signal Projects Funding .. 5-5 Introduction .. 5-5 Programming .. 5-5 Agreements .. 5-6 Method of Construction .. 5-6 Letting .. 5-6 Construction.. 5-6 Shop Drawings.. 5-7 Changes on Contract Projects .. 5-7 Changes on City Force Projects.. 5-7 Project Administration.. 5-7 Section 3 Plan Requirements for PS&E .. 5-8 Introduction .. 5-8 Data for Plan Preparation.

7 5-8 Traffic Signals Manualiv TxDOT 6/2020 Title Sheet .. 5-8 Estimate and Quantity Sheet .. 5-9 Condition Diagram Sheet .. 5-9 Plan Sheets.. 5-9 Elevation Sheets.. 5-10 Detail Sheets .. 5-10 Specifications.. 5-12PS&E Paperwork .. 5-12 Section 4 Accessible Pedestrian Signals Guidelines.. 5-14 Purpose .. 5-14 Definition .. 5-14 Background .. 5-14 Recommended Practice .. 5-14 Engineering Study for APS .. 5-16 Design Considerations .. 5-17 Specifications.. 5-18 References .. 5-18 Intersection Prioritization Tool Worksheet .. 5-18 Section 5 Uninterruptible Power Supply/Battery Back-up (UPS/BBU) System .. 5-20 Purpose .. 5-20 Definition .. 5-20 Background .. 5-20 Recommended Practice .. 5-21 Design Considerations .. 5-22 Maintenance Considerations .. 5-22 Removal of UPS/BBU .. 5-22 Section 6 Flashing Yellow Arrow Display for Left-Turn Operations.

8 5-23 Purpose .. 5-23 Background .. 5-23 Signal Face Types .. 5-23 Modes of Operation .. 5-23 Signal Head Requirements .. 5-24 Engineering Study .. 5-27 Recommended Practice .. 5-27 Emergency Preemption .. 5-29 Variable Mode Operation .. 5-29 Public Notification.. 5-29 Equipment Issues .. 5-30 Cabinet Modification .. 5-30 Traffic Signals Manualv TxDOT 6/2020 Signing .. 5-30 Observations .. 5-30 Crash Data .. 5-31 Other Considerations .. 5-31 References .. 5-32 Section 7 Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons .. 5-33 Introduction .. 5-33 Considerations .. 5-33 Appendix A FormsIntroduction .. A-1 List of Forms .. A-1 Appendix B Determination of Need for Traffic Control at School CrossingsIntroduction .. B-1 Step 1. Pedestrian Count .. B-1 Step 2. Determination of the Number of Rows N .. B-2 Step 3. Determination of the Adequate Gap Time G.

9 B-2 Step 4. Pedestrian Delay Time D.. B-3 Step 5. Determination of Need for Traffic Control .. B-4 Appendix C Intersection Prioritization Tool WorksheetIntersection Prioritization Tool .. C-1 Traffic Signals Manual1-1 TxDOT 06/2020 Chapter 1 IntroductionContents:Section 1 OverviewSection 2 Traffic safety Division SupportSection 3 Equipment AcquisitionTraffic Signals Manual1-2 TxDOT 06/2020 Chapter 1 IntroductionSection 1 OverviewSection 1 OverviewScope of this ManualThis Manual is a guide and reference for the handling of requests for Traffic Signals on the designated State Highway System, including installations financed by federal funds and installed off the numbered State Highway Manual describes the steps necessary for the installation of Traffic Signals from project inception through construction and final disposition of Signal PolicyThe State Highway and Public Transportation Commission (now known as the Texas Transportation Commission) approved TxDOT s current policy on highway Traffic Signals under Commission Minute Order No.

10 85777 dated May 27, 1987. The current policy, as published in the Texas Administrative Code at 43 TAC, , states that TxDOT: may install, maintain, and operate Traffic Signals on the state highway system in unincorporated areas when requested by anyone and provided that the location or locations meet one or more of the warrants for highway Traffic Signals contained in the current Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD). may install, maintain, and operate Traffic Signals on the state highway system in incorporated cities of less than 50,000 population (latest federal census) when requested by the city council, mayor, or city manager, and on frontage roads and at interchanges of freeways of the State Highway System within incorporated cities and provided that the location or locations meet one or more of the warrants for highway Traffic Signals contained in the current TMUTCD and that the city enters into an agreement setting forth the responsibilities of each party.