Traffic control
Traffic regulation describes both the regulation and the control of the traffic flow of a mode of transport. It affects the behavior of road users with the aim of making the traffic flow smoothly and safely, or improving it.
Traffic regulations can be implemented by technical or structural facilities (e.g. traffic signs ) or by people. This happens in general ( traffic routing ) or event-related (e.g. after accidents ). Traffic regulations take place in all areas in which there is traffic with vehicles , i.e. on land, in the water and in the air.
Road traffic
In land transport , land vehicles are controlled by the road layout, traffic signs or traffic posts.
Regulation on road sections
Diversion recommendations exist in many places to maintain the flow of traffic on road sections. Speed controls are also common on expressways.
If the capacity of a road is exceeded by the existing traffic volume, a collapse of the traffic flow can only be prevented by diversion of vehicles. Redirection recommendations exist in static and dynamic form. The traffic signs "Requirement diversion" (No. 460) and "Umlenkungspfeil" (No. 467) represent the static form. With variable message signs , diversion recommendations can also be given dynamically. Some modern cars already have technical devices that can suggest a diversion to the driver individually.
With the help of variable message sign systems, which can adaptively display speed restrictions that change over time depending on the traffic situation, it is possible to stabilize the traffic and thereby prevent a collapse of the traffic flow (see traffic jam ). This is achieved by harmonizing the speeds of the vehicles. Static speed limits in the form of traffic signs are often sufficient.
Regulation at intersections
Traffic at intersections can be regulated in the following ways:
- right before left,
- through a road with right of way (users of the other road then have to wait),
- by Lichtzeichenanlagen ( "lights"),
- through traffic posts (in Germany and Switzerland also traffic cadets ),
- by the police or other emergency services
Rail transport
The control of rail vehicles in rail traffic is ensured by the operations control system . Optical warning systems and safety systems are used to secure crossing traffic at the level crossing .
Shipping
In ship traffic , the coordination of the watercraft is carried out by the traffic management ( sea markings , sea waterways or the signs for inland navigation ) or by individual regulations such as instructions, e.g. B. regulated by the port master.
air traffic
In air traffic , the movement of aircraft is regulated by instructions from air traffic control , on the ground also by taxiway signs . In military aviation, subordinate pilots may also be obliged to obey the orders of the squadron leader.