Why Traffic Signals Fail in Sri Lanka: Reviewing the Realities of Heterogeneous Traffic Dynamics

Abstract

Traffic signal design in developing countries frequently underperforms due to the direct application of classical models—Webster's delay formula, HCM, ARR123, and ORN13— developed for homogeneous, lane-disciplined traffic conditions. Sri Lankan intersections exhibit fundamentally different characteristics: heterogeneous vehicle streams comprising motorcycles, threewheelers, non-motorized vehicles, and pedestrians operating without strict lane discipline under geometric constraints. This systematic review synthesizes empirical evidence explaining why conventional signal design methods fail in such contexts. Following PRISMA principles, 138 records were screened, yielding 41 high-quality references spanning foundational theory, classical assumptions, regional adaptations, and Sri Lankan empirical data. The review demonstrates that local intersections systematically violate foundational assumptions regarding lane usage, headway uniformity, start-up behavior, and pedestrian compliance. Observed saturation flows reach 2574 pcu/h/lane—substantially exceeding HCM benchmarks—while behaviors such as motorcycle seepage, lateral filtering, initial surge, and dynamic clustering create discharge patterns that static PCU values cannot capture. A mathematical framework is presented mapping these deviations to quantifiable variables: lateral efficiency, surge discharge dynamics, dynamic vehicle equivalence, headway expansion, and geometric constraints affecting intersection capacity. The paper concludes by proposing context-sensitive design pathways incorporating dynamic PCU factors, behavioral modeling, and simulation-based calibration using SIDRA and SUMO to support locally relevant signal control methodologies..