How is the equation for saturation flow, s, expressed?

How is the equation for saturation flow, s, expressed?

• A. s = 3600 / sh
• B. s = sh / 3600
• C. s = 3600 / (sh × 60)
• D. s = 3600 × sh

Answer: (A)

The equation for saturation flow, denoted as "s," is expressed in terms of the effective green time available for vehicles to pass through a signalized intersection during a cycle. The standard formula for saturation flow rate is derived based on the number of vehicles that can pass through the intersection per hour. In the equation \( s = \frac{3600}{sh} \), the value of 3600 represents the number of seconds in an hour, and "sh" refers to the time for which a vehicle can travel unobstructed through the intersection, usually during the green phase of the traffic signal. The equation effectively means that for each hour (3600 seconds), the saturation flow rate calculates how many vehicles can pass through the intersection based on the available green time. Therefore, the flow decreases as the allowable green time per cycle increases. Using this equation helps traffic engineers analyze and design traffic control systems to optimize the flow of vehicles at intersections. Thus, this expression accurately reflects how saturation flow is calculated within the context of traffic flow theory.

The equation for saturation flow, denoted as "s," is expressed in terms of the effective green time available for vehicles to pass through a signalized intersection during a cycle. The standard formula for saturation flow rate is derived based on the number of vehicles that can pass through the intersection per hour.

In the equation ( s = \frac{3600}{sh} ), the value of 3600 represents the number of seconds in an hour, and "sh" refers to the time for which a vehicle can travel unobstructed through the intersection, usually during the green phase of the traffic signal. The equation effectively means that for each hour (3600 seconds), the saturation flow rate calculates how many vehicles can pass through the intersection based on the available green time. Therefore, the flow decreases as the allowable green time per cycle increases.

Using this equation helps traffic engineers analyze and design traffic control systems to optimize the flow of vehicles at intersections. Thus, this expression accurately reflects how saturation flow is calculated within the context of traffic flow theory.