![]() Warrants are great guidelines for determining whether an intersection justifies the installation or improvement of a traffic signal. Last, but not least, use our Traffic Signal Warrant Analysis tool to assist you with accurately analyzing your data and warrants.In a situation where you have a significant number of left turn movements from an approach, you could look at those left turns as your minor leg and the conflicting thru volume as the major leg.In many states, if you have right turn lanes at an intersection, you can remove the right turning lane volume and discount the right turn lane from the total number of approach lanes.Where there is no indication as to which is the major or minor road at an intersection, run your analysis both ways to get a clearer picture.Bicyclists can be counted as either pedestrians or vehicles in your analysis.Use the 85 th percentile speed instead of the posted speed limit (check out our article 85 th Percentile Speed Explained).With practicality and efficiency in mind, we’ve put together some tips and tricks to consider when evaluating the traffic signal warrants: Examine the thresholds, compare against the information and data you’ve gathered, determine if the threshold is met and the warrant is satisfied. With this information, the warrants are fairly straight forward. Other relevant data to collect includes crash data, progression of other signals in corridor and proximity to schools, parks or other high-pedestrian areas. The three primary pieces of data to collect when evaluating traffic signal warrants are: layout of intersection (existing or future), speed limits, and volumes (we like to include turning movements, pedestrians, cyclists, etc.). For instance, the Minnesota Department of Transportation looks to Warrant 1 to be met before a traffic signal is installed. It’s also a good idea to check with the governing agency to see if all warrants are equal in their eyes. For example, you won’t be using Warrant 5, School Crossing, if there’s not a school in the immediate area. Other warrants can usually be ruled out if not applicable to the specific intersection you are reviewing. The first three warrants are generally the most used and easiest to collect the necessary data (traffic counts). Warrant 9, Intersection near a grade crossing.The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) lists 9 warrants for evaluating traffic signals: There are different types of warrants, all dealing with traffic control, which include:įor this piece, the focus is specifically on traffic signal warrants and the guidelines that are in place to help determine when installing or improving upon a traffic signal is justified. ![]() ![]() Warrants are simply guidelines that we use as part of traffic studied to help determine the best course of action in a particular scenario. With that being said, warrants are not a substitute for your judgement as an engineer. According to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), a warrant is a threshold condition based upon average or normal conditions that, if found to be satisfied as part of an engineering study, shall result in analysis of other traffic conditions or factors to determine whether a traffic control device or other improvement is justified. The best place to start when talking about traffic signal warrants is to understand the definition of a warrant itself. ![]()
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