Traffic Management

Cover of Signal Management Techniques to Support Network Operations
Signal Management Techniques to Support Network Operations
  • Publication no: AP-R494-15
  • ISBN: 978-1-925294-71-2
  • Published: 2 October 2015

This project has developed guidance on how signal management and operation should be undertaken to realise the intent of network operation planning and achieve the desired performance outcomes for road users.

The guidance is in the form of a Signal Management Toolkit which will assist signal operators in the identification and assessment of appropriate treatments as part of a network fit assessment for Stage 5 of the network operation plan (NOP) process (Development of network management, operation and improvement plans).

The Toolkit provides indicative impacts of a range of techniques used to afford priority to a particular user, including emergency vehicles, public transport (trams and buses), pedestrians, cyclists, freight and private motorists (general traffic). The impact assessment framework is aligned with the Austroads Level of Service metrics for network operations planning and considers the impacts of each technique on other road users in relation to their key needs of relevance to signal operations (i.e. mobility, safety and access). The impact assessment was undertaken in collaboration with road agency and industry practitioners to ensure it reflects operational experience.

The Toolkit is also delivered in Excel spreadsheet which can be downloaded from the supporting documents tab.

  • Summary
  • 1. Introduction
    • 1.1. Project Purpose
    • 1.2. Background
    • 1.3. Project Aims and Scope
    • 1.4. Project Deliverables
    • 1.5. Document Outline
  • 2. Method
  • 3. Signal Management in the NOP Context
    • 3.1. Overview
    • 3.2. National Guidance
      • 3.2.1. Network Operation Planning
      • 3.2.2. Signal Management and Operation
      • 3.2.3. Performance Metrics
    • 3.3. Interaction between Processes
  • 4. Jurisdictional Guidance and Practice
    • 4.1. Overview
    • 4.2. Good Practice
    • 4.3. Gap Analysis
  • 5. Signal Management Toolkit
    • 5.1. Overview
    • 5.2. Signal Management Techniques
    • 5.3. Toolkit Framework
      • 5.3.1. Example of How to Use the Toolkit
  • 6. Embedding in Austroads Guides
    • 6.1. Overview
    • 6.2. Relevant Content in the Austroads Guides
    • 6.3. New Content for Austroads Guides
  • 7. Conclusions
  • Acronyms
  • References
  • Appendix A Stakeholder List
  • Appendix B Signal Management Toolkit (Description of Techniques)
  • Appendix C Signal Management Toolkit (Multi-Modal Impacts)
  • Appendix D Additional Information for Signal Management Techniques in the Toolkit
  • Appendix E International Guidelines and Practice
  • Appendix F Australasian Guidelines and Practice
  • Bus priority program
  • SCATS variation routines
  • Auckland approach
  • Operational strategies for motorway interchanges
  • Relevant guidance documents
  • Relevant guidance document
  • Appendix G Good Practice Case Studies
  • Main Roads NOP Stage 1 – project description and background
  • Main Roads NOP Stage 2 – network/corridor definition
  • Main Roads NOP Stage 3 – network operation goals and objectives
  • Main Roads NOP Stage 4 – determine travel demand and road use priorities
  • Main Roads NOP Stage 5 – evaluate network performance
  • Main Roads NOP Stage 6 – determine M&O options
  • Main Roads NOP Stage 7 – evaluate options and develop NOP
  • Main Roads NOP Stage 8 – implement NOP
  • Stage 9 – evaluate network performance against plan and objectives
  • SmartRoads Stage 1 – strategic objectives
  • SmartRoads Stage 2 – road use hierarchy
  • SmartRoads Stage 3 – network performance
  • SmartRoads Stage 4 – network strategies
  • SmartRoads Stage 5 – network operating plan
  • Post-implementation evaluation
  • Project aims and scope
  • Review process
  • Coordination review stage
  • Corridor strategy and terms of reference
  • Model development and validation
  • Proposed plan performance measurement
  • Appendix H Interaction Between NOP and Signal Management
  • Commentary 1
  • Commentary 2
  • Glossary