Traffic Design by using Webster Method
Prepared by: Jomar Angel R. Gacang
Webster Method
Webster's method is a rational approach for designing traffic signals. It is simple and is
based on the formulae given by Webster.
Terms to be familiarized:
Traffic Volume (Volume flow): Traffic volume is the number of vehicles that come to a
traffic signal each hour from all directions at various times.
Phase: traffic phase refers to a specific part of a traffic signal cycle that allows a particular
movement of vehicles or pedestrians at an intersection.
Lane: traffic lane is a designated part of a roadway meant for the movement of vehicles in
a single direction. Lanes are usually marked with painted lines and help organize traffic
flow, ensuring safety and efficiency.
Width: traffic width refers to the total width of a road or lane designated for vehicle
movement. It includes the width of individual lanes, shoulders, and sometimes sidewalks,
depending on the road type.
Terms in solving the Webster Method:
Saturated Flow: Saturated flow refers to the maximum rate at which vehicles can pass
through an intersection or a specific road segment when the traffic signal is green,
assuming there is a continuous queue of vehicles waiting to move. It is measured in
vehicles per hour per lane (veh/hr/ln) or vehicles per hour(1/hr).
Critical Flow Ratio: critical flow ratio is the ratio of the traffic volume (v) to the saturation
flow rate (s) for each traffic movement at an intersection.
Optimum Cycle Length (Co): in Webster’s method refers to the ideal total time for a
complete traffic signal cycle (green, yellow, and red phases) that minimizes vehicle delay at
an intersection.
Lost time: in Webster’s method refers to the time within a traffic signal cycle that is not
used effectively by vehicles due to delays in movement.
This includes:
Start-up Lost Time – The time lost as the first few vehicles in a queue accelerate after the
signal turns green.
Clearance Lost Time – The time lost at the end of a green phase due to vehicles hesitating
or stopping during the yellow and all-red phases.
Steps in Using the Webster Method:
Traffic Volume = to be collected by gathering a data.
Units: Vehicles per hour per lane (veh/hr/lane)
Saturation flow: to be collected by gathering a data.
Units: vehicle flow per lane (veh/hr/lane)
Lost time: to be collected by gather a data of the following:
L=∑ (Start-up Lost Time + Clearance Lost Time)
Step 1: Solve the Critical Flow Ratio (Y)
Formula:
Where:
yn = number of the each signal phase.
Y = ∑ ( yn )
Step 2: Compute the Total Lost time (alternative)
Assumption of the webster method:
Formula: L = 2n + R
Where:
n = number of phases
R = red time of traffic sign, usually default red time is 16 seconds if the
problem was not stated.
Step 3: Determine the Optimum Cycle Time (Co)
Formula:
Step 4: Determine the Time of Green light and Red Light:
Formula for Green light:
Formula for Redlight: Ri=Co−Gi−Y
Example:
Design signal timing for two road A and road B traffic
volume are the following:
Road A Road B
Width of road 15 meters 8 meters
No of lanes 4 lanes 2 lanes
Normal flow 465 veh/hr/lane 350 veh/hr/lane
Opposite direction 420 veh/hr/lane 260 veh/hr/lane
If all red time = 15 secs. Use Webster method to design 2 - phase system.
Saturated Flow Data table:
Road 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 >5.5
Width
s 1850 1890 1950 2250 2550 2990 525
veh/hr/meter
road with
Solution:
Answer of for Co:
Answer of for green time:
For Road A =
For Road B =
Answer for Red time
For Road A =
For Road B =
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Highway Capacity Manual (HCM), Transportation Research Board (2022).
AASHTO (2018). A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets.
Webster, F.V. (1958). Traffic Signal Settings. Road Research Laboratory, UK.
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