Drivers’ Behavior at Signalized Intersections Operating with Flashing Green: Comparative Study

Abstract

In Jordan, thirty-four signalized intersections out of 105 within Greater Amman Municipality were tested to operate with the flashing green change interval without prior justification or establishing guidelines for such practice. This research attempts to assess the impact of the used practice on driving behavior conducting a comparative study between two sets of signalized intersections. The first set of signalized intersections operates with flashing green and the second set of signalized intersections operates without flashing green.

Results showed that average approach speed of vehicles crossing intersections that operate with flashing green change interval is higher than the average approach speed for vehicles crossing intersections which operate without flashing green. The proportion of vehicles crossing intersections during flashing green change interval is significantly higher than the proportion of vehicles crossing the intersections during change interval at intersections that operate without flashing green. While the proportion of vehicles jumps before green on intersections operating with flashing green light is lower than the proportion of vehicles jumps before green on intersections operating without flashing green. Guidelines should be developed to control such application. Future research will expand the sample size to cover wide spectrum of intersections allover Jordan, and will consider the crash history records at each studied intersection.

Keywords: Traffic control; flashing green signals; driving behavior