Why isn't there enough green time at a traffic signal to get the traffic through all approaches?
The amount of green time for each movement at a signalized intersection varies according to vehicle demand. When there is not enough green time for each movement to get through the intersection it is often because the intersection is over capacity and has more vehicles than it was designed to handle. The city attempts to time these traffic signals to minimize overall delay for the majority of motorists at the traffic signal. Therefore, if you are on a minor approach or a side street, you may experience significant delay where the main movement is along a heavily congested corridor.

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1. What if there is a problem with a traffic signal?
2. How does the city decide where to install traffic signals?
3. Will a traffic signal reduce crashes at an intersection?
4. What should drivers do when the traffic signal is all dark?
5. Why do some traffic signals take so long to change?
6. Why are traffic signals synchronized on some streets and not on others?
7. Why don’t we allow more left turns on a green ball indication?
8. Why don’t we put in more left turn arrows at signalized intersections?
9. Why isn't there enough green time at a traffic signal to get the traffic through all approaches?
10. Why aren't traffic signals put in flashing operation late at night?
11. What do the symbols at a pedestrian countdown signal mean?