SINGLE LEAD LEFT WITH FALSE CALL PLACEMENT

THIS SEQUENCE PLACES FALSE CALLS TO PREVENT YELLOW-TRAP

When the left turn detector places a call, it also places a false call to the calling-detector input on the highest-volume cross street phase. But since the call is on the calling detector, it can't extend the green on the cross-street phase. This sequence causes calls to left-turn phases on a given street to provide their own protection by calling a cross-street phase. Yellow-trap cannot occur with this sequence. However, it will not work with any phase order except split lead.

How false call placement works:

SINGLE LEAD WITH FALSE CALL PLACEMENT

The diagram on the right shows a single lead with left turns causing the cross-street phase to become active before the left turn calls are answered.

single lead with false calls

SINGLE LEAD PHASE ORDER

The single lead left-turn sequence normally operates in the following manner:

  1. Assuming traffic is waiting to use them, the left-turn phase operates first, with the concurrent straight-ahead phase.
  2. When the left-turn phase runs out of traffic, it ends with clearance periods, and the oncoming straight-ahead phase is released. Now both straight-ahead phases are moving traffic.
  3. When both straight-ahead phases run out of traffic, they terminate with simultaneous clearance periods.
  4. The cross-street phase then operates.

If some of the approaches or phases have no traffic on them, those phases can be skipped. This can cause the following effects:

  • Parts of the above sequence can be omitted. For example, the street could start with both straight-ahead movements.
  • If one entire street has no traffic waiting, the left turn phase places a false call to activate it. Thus, the yellow-trap hazard can not occur.

The numbers on the diagram are phase numbers.

s left
(2 5)
ns thru
(2 6)
ns thru
(4)

SINGLE LEAD WITH FALSE CALLS

  • This is used with the 5-light protected/permissive left-turn display or the 3-light protected left-turn signal.
  • All signal faces are standard.
  • The circular aspects of the 5-light signal display the same aspects as the adjacent straight-ahead signals.
  • The wiring for this system is standardized.
  • The MUTCD (Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices) prescribes this basic kind of display.
  • With False Calls, the protected/permissive version has protection against yellow-trap from phase skip
Signal faces used with this method
Standard 3-light signal face for left turns that are always protected: protected display
Standard 5-light signal face for left turns that are both permissive and protected: protected and permissive
Standard 3-light signal for completely permissive left turns oncoming to either of the above displays: permissive left display
Standard signal for all straight-ahead indications, and left turns on streets without left-turn phases: 3-light circular indications

FALSE CALL PLACEMENT

The phase order of a dual-ring controller is shown. The quad left-turn sequence and dual-ring controller are explained here.

In false call placement, the left turn detector also calls a phase on the cross street, but without the ability to extend the green on that cross street phase.

The false call thus causes the cross street green to display for a short period before the left turn phases become active.

False Calls makes the timers advance out of the straight-ahead phases to phases on the other street. Only after that happens can the left turn phases be active again.


PHASE TABLE
Timing Rings:TR-1 (2 4)TR-2 (5 6)
Concurrency:CG-1 (2 5 6)CG-2 (4)
Timing groups:TG-1 (5)TG-2 (2 6)TG-3 (4)
Overlap pairs:(2 5)(2 6)


EXTRA OVERLAP PHASE TABLE
Overlap unitParent phasesConditions
OV-A-
OV-B-
OV-C-
OV-D-
PHASE DIAGRAM

Ring
1

down arrow
Ring
2









TG-1



turn arrowPhase 5

|
| CG-1
|




TG-2 go arrowPhase 2

go arrowPhase 6








BARRIER
down arrow

BARRIER


|
| CG-2
|






TG-3 go arrowPhase 4






go arrow














BARRIER
down arrow

BARRIER










INTERFACING THE INTERSECTION
FALSE CALL PLACEMENT

DETECTOR
DetectorNormal
phase
Redirect
phase
Redirect when
-
-
22-
-
-
44-
55, call 4
-
66-
-
-
-
-

SIGNAL FACE TABLE
FacePhaseModifier
-

22
-

44
55No red indication (phase 2 in same face)
66
-

-

INTERSECTION DIAGRAM












arrow arrow arrow





6 6 arrow





arrow |5|2| |2|


arrow
|4| arrow arrow arrow
4 arrow
arrow 4 |4| arrow arrow arrow |4| 4 arrow
arrow 4
arrow arrow arrow |4|
arrow



|6| |6| arrow





arrow 5(4) 2





arrow arrow arrow











Detectors are blue. Signal faces are orange.
False calls are in parentheses.

QUAD WITH FALSE CALL
ADVANTAGES

  1. Maximizes time use at isolated intersection.
  2. Phase skip partially prevents wasting time at empty approaches.
  3. Conforms to driver expectation of phase sequence.
  4. Can be used at a simultaneous node in a progression system.
  5. Can be used away from a simultaneous node in a progression system on the lead side.
  6. Easy to connect.
  7. Can not yellow-trap.

QUAD WITH FALSE CALL
DISADVANTAGES

  1. The order of phases can not be altered to make other sequences without causing yellow-trap.
  2. The false calls waste intersection time.

Links:

  1. All Yellow Trap Links are here:
    YELLOW TRAP INDEX PAGE
  2. Yellow-Trap Quiz
  3. Two New Approaches to the Problem
  4. Signal Design Table
  5. Definitions
  6. Yellow-trap in Bloomington Indiana
  7. HOME