Abstract: Starting from the urban traffic control perspective, a simple and practical method of intersection control period division is proposed, which according to the historical statistics of the traffic volume, considering the differences of traffic flows, and based on the process of average hourly traffic volume, through the calculation of a signalized intersection cycle length, and set determination threshold value of control period. Finally, 24h throughout the day is divided into several control periods by the method, to provide a scientific basis for the establishment of signal timing programs with multiple periods a day. The calculation results are in good agreement with the actual traffic flow, compared with the traditional period division method.

Key words: engineering of communications and transportation system, period division, signal cycle, traffic control, threshold value