New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 16 - TRANSPORTATION › Chapter 47 - STATE HIGHWAY ACCESS MANAGEMENT CODE › Appendix G - TRAFFIC SIGNALS

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
G-1 General
a. Traffic signals are traffic control devices that may be
				incorporated into the design plans for an access application. Approval of an
				access permit that includes a new or modified traffic signal in the design does
				not guarantee that the Department will not modify or remove the traffic signal
				if future conditions warrant, as provided in the traffic signal electrical
				agreement. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted as requiring the
				Department to authorize a traffic signal at any location. The Department may
				grant the access as proposed with a traffic signal, require design
				modifications as deemed necessary, including elimination of the traffic signal
				from the design, restrict one or more turning movements to reduce impacts, or
				deny the access.
b. The construction of a driveway or street at or near a
				signalized intersection usually necessitates the installation of additional
				traffic signal equipment. The Department will review the application proposing
				additional equipment and will determine whether the additional equipment is
				sufficient. All approved equipment shall be installed in accordance with the
				Department's Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction and
				Standard Electrical Details under the Department's supervision. Traffic signal
				modification work and all electrical equipment shall be at the lot or site
				owner's expense.
G-2 Traffic Signal Study
a. Traffic signals may be approved by the Department during the
				application process. A study is required to be reviewed and approved by the
				Department for any proposed traffic signals, for revisions to existing traffic
				signals, or as required by the Department for operational analysis. The study
				shall be based on appropriate standards and manuals, which may include, but not
				be limited to, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Highway
				Capacity Manual (MUTCD) (see N.J.A.C. 16:47 Appendix E for
				availability).
b. The study shall be completed and sealed by a New Jersey
				licensed professional engineer and shall include:
1. Consideration of all existing access locations and permitted
				future access locations, as well as advertised roadway and traffic signal
				improvements, for a distance of at least one traffic signal spacing standard in
				each direction. The Bureau of Major Access Permits should be contacted for this
				information at the address found at N.J.A.C. 16:47-9.5(g);
2. Substantiation that a traffic signal is warranted utilizing
				the criteria listed in the current MUTCD. The warrant analysis shall address
				all warrants and how the proposed location either satisfies or does not satisfy
				the criteria for each warrant. Satisfying a traffic signal warrant shall not
				guarantee Department approval to install a traffic signal;
3. Analysis of current traffic data assuming permitted
				developments are in place, based on their estimated build-out years;
4. Documentation that the location of the proposed traffic
				signal is consistent with the minimum spacing requirements for signalized
				intersections based on posted speed and cycle length. Information on existing
				signal cycle length can be obtained from the Bureau of Traffic
				Engineering;
5. A progression analysis, consistent with the requirements of
				this appendix, for a new traffic signal, or if existing traffic signals do not
				meet the minimum spacing requirements found in Table G-1, or if changes to
				phasing/timing of existing traffic signals are proposed without adding a new
				traffic signal;
6. Documentation of information, data, assumptions, adjustment
				factors, and reference sources;
7. Evaluation of the LOS and delays for all traffic movements,
				including a comparative analysis of existing, no-build, build, and build with
				mitigation. If project construction is to be phased, an analysis shall be done
				for each phase;
8. A summary that clearly indicates when LOS and delay
				standards are or are not met;
9. A safety evaluation, including the interaction of adjacent
				conflict points and movements, as well as curvature, profile, and sight lines;
				and
10. A conceptual design showing all geometric elements and
				dimensions with a detailed explanation of any design elements that may need an
				exception.
G-3 Location of Traffic Signals
a. The minimum spacing for traffic signals is shown in Table
				G-1. Traffic circles, roundabouts, and interchanges are treated the same as
				existing traffic signals when determining the location of a proposed signal.
				Where a proposed signal is located within the limits of an AMP, as designated
				in N.J.A.C. 16:47-12, the proposed traffic signal can be placed only at
				locations identified in the AMP.
b. The Department may designate optimal traffic signal location
				plans. In designating optimal locations for future traffic signals, the
				Department may apply Table G-1 in whichever direction along the State highway
				is deemed appropriate and may exclude locations where specific circumstances,
				as determined by the Department, preclude future signalization. Such plans will
				be incorporated by reference into this chapter.
TABLE G-1
Minimum Spacing of Signalized Intersections for
							 Various Posted Speeds and Cycle Lengths
Cycle Length (sec.)
Speed (miles per hour)
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
Distance in Feet
60
1,100
1,320
1,540
1,760
1,980
2,200
2,430
70
1,280
1,540
1,800
2,050
2,310
2,500
2,640
80
1,470
1,760
2,050
2,350
2,640
2,640
2,640
90
1,630
1,980
2,310
2,640
2,640
2,640
2,640
120
2,200
2,640
2,640
2,640
2,640
2,640
2,640
150>/=
2,640
2,640
2,640
2,640
2,640
2,640
2,640
G-4 Traffic Signal Progression Analysis
a. Where a new traffic signal is proposed for a State highway
				corridor or when existing traffic signals do not meet minimum signal spacing
				requirements or when changes to phasing/timing of existing signals are proposed
				without adding a new traffic signal, a traffic signal progression analysis is
				required to demonstrate that traffic will continue to move through the corridor
				efficiently. The progression analysis requires comparison of the calculated
				percentage through band width, that is based upon posted speed limits and
				existing cycle lengths for the segment involved, with the minimum through band
				width as found in Table G-2. The segment length to be analyzed for through band
				width shall be established by referencing the Department's Straight Line
				Diagram found at
http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/
for the location of proximate signals along the corridor, in conjunction with
				signal timing information, including existing cycle lengths, obtained from the
				Bureau of Traffic Engineering. When a traffic impact study is required, the
				limits of the segment for analyzing band width shall not extend more than one
				traffic signal outside of the study area established for the traffic impact
				study, unless the existing area of progression extends further. In that case,
				the limits shall encompass the existing area of progression.
b. The progression analysis should include the
				following:
1. Documentation of information, data, and reference
				sources;
2. Accurate and legible diagrams; and
3. Documentation of all assumptions and adjustment
				factors.
Table G-2
MINIMUM THROUGH BAND WIDTH FOR STATE HIGHWAYS
Access classification may be determined by using N.J.A.C. 16:47
				Appendix B-2 to find the cell number and then using N.J.A.C. 16:47 Appendix A
				to find the access classification related to that cell number for that segment
				of highway.
Access Classification of State highway
Minimum acceptable through band width
Urban
Accessible Principal Arterial
50 percent
Minor Arterial
40 percent
Collector and Local
30 percent
Rural
Accessible Principal Arterial
50 percent
Minor Arterial
40 percent
Major Collector
35 percent
Minor Collector and Local
30 percent
G-5 Traffic Signal Electrical Agreements
a. A cost-sharing traffic signal electrical agreement,
				independent of any developer agreement, will be prepared by the Bureau of
				Traffic Engineering for a new traffic signal or a change to an existing traffic
				signal that involves:
1. The addition of a new approach leg;
2. A new lot or site owner of a privately owned approach leg;
				or
3. A physical realignment of the approach to a different block
				and lot number.
b. Execution of a traffic signal electrical agreement shall be
				a condition of the access permit. It shall provide for the participation of the
				lot or site owner, the Department and any other parties involved, in the cost
				of installation, maintenance, and operation of any proposed traffic signal or
				traffic signal equipment. All parties to the traffic signal electrical
				agreement must sign the agreement before the traffic signal will be activated
				and put into operation. In addition, the traffic signal must be inspected by
				the Department prior to being put into operation.
G-6 Contact Information
Bureau of Traffic Engineering
New Jersey Department of Transportation
1035 Parkway Avenue
PO Box 600
Trenton, NJ 08625-0600
609-530-2600