What is the best cycle length for a coordinated signal system on a two-way arterial street with 1400 ft intervals and a desired progression speed of 35 mph?

To determine the best cycle length for a coordinated signal system on a two-way arterial street with a set distance and desired progression speed, it's essential to apply the formula that relates these factors. The general formula for calculating the optimal cycle length in seconds is given by:

Cycle Length = (Distance / Speed) x 2

In this case, the intervals are 1400 feet, and the desired progression speed is 35 miles per hour.

First, it's useful to convert the speed from miles per hour to feet per second, since the distance is in feet:

35 mph is equivalent to:

35 miles/hour × 5280 feet/mile ÷ 3600 seconds/hour = 102.67 feet/second.

Next, we can calculate the time it takes to travel the 1400 feet at this speed:

Time = Distance / Speed = 1400 feet / 102.67 feet/second ≈ 13.63 seconds.

Since the arterial street operates in both directions, we need to consider the time for travel in both directions, effectively doubling the time:

Total Time ≈ 13.63 seconds × 2 = 27.26 seconds.

However, that's only for the actual travel time. A coordinated signal system