Safety evaluation of Compact MOVA Signal Control Strategy _ final report

MOVA traffic signal control is used at approximately 3000 junctions in the UK. The recently released MOVA M5 has a facility to exclude the use of the more distance ‘IN’ detectors (normally around 8 seconds journey time from the stop line) on some or all of the approaches, thus saving ducting and maintenance cost. Commonly known as ‘Compact MOVA’, it can only be used on low speed approaches (where the 85th percentile speed is less than 35mph). The performance of Compact MOVA has been found to be better than traditional Vehicle Actuation control, matching standard MOVA in saturated conditions. Studies have also shown that Compact MOVA can significantly reduce pedestrian delay at stand-alone signal controlled pedestrian crossings with negligible effect on vehicular delay when compared with Vehicle Actuation. Previous risk assessments and a limited safety study indicate that Compact MOVA is as least as safe as Vehicle Actuation. The research in this project, commissioned by the Department for Transport, is necessary to confirm, or otherwise, these findings, and give confidence in the advice given to Local Traffic Authorities. This report describes the study carried out at three stand-alone Puffin crossings and two junctions. The investigation includes conflict analysis and an assessment of pedestrian and driver behaviour.