Approaches to Operational Problems in Street and Highway Traffic—A Review

Recently developed techniques for traffic operational changes involving traffic signal control equipment are discussed. Present practice is very largely based on intuition and qualitative analysis. Quantitative analysis is limited because a general theory of traffic flow has not yet been developed Studies aimed at the eventual formulation of a theory of traffic flow are being conducted at the Road Research Laboratory (British), Brown University, the University of Michigan, and the University of California. In combination with the flow theory the greatest promise appears to be in the simulation approach, some aspects of which are discussed.