Knowra Traffic signal Traffic signal A device that assigns right of way at road intersections or crossings through colored lights or other signals. Its indications organize conflicting movements in time.
Traffic signal phase : A part of a signal cycle that gives right of way to a compatible set of traffic movements. Phases divide an intersection’s conflicting movements into safe turns.
Right of way : The legal or customary priority to proceed when road users’ paths conflict. A signal assigns this priority to competing movements at controlled locations.
Traffic control : The regulation of road use to manage safety, access, and movement. Traffic signals are one method within the broader practice of controlling road traffic.
Pedestrian signal : A traffic signal indication that assigns crossing time to pedestrians. Pedestrian signals coordinate foot traffic with vehicle phases at crossings.
Traffic congestion : A condition in which traffic demand approaches or exceeds roadway capacity, causing slower movement and queues. Poorly matched signal timing can add delay and queues, while coordination can reduce some stops.
Signal timing : The selection of signal phase order, durations, and coordination settings. Timing controls how long each movement waits and how traffic progresses between intersections.
Traffic signal indication : A displayed light, arrow, or other signal message directing a road user to stop, proceed, or yield. Indications are the visible messages through which the device assigns movement priority.
John Peake Knight : A British railway engineer who proposed a gas-lit traffic signal for London in the 1860s. Knight’s 1868 signal near the Houses of Parliament was an early attempt to control street traffic.
Transit signal priority : A control strategy that adjusts signal timing to improve transit vehicle movement. Buses and trams can receive an extended green or earlier service at signalized intersections.
Traffic collision : An event in which a moving vehicle strikes another road user or object. Signal compliance and intersection phase design influence conflicts that can lead to collisions.
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