In traffic engineering, three computer packages have been widely used in pr
oviding coordinated signal timing plans for arterials. They are SYNCHRO, TR
ANSYT-7F, and PASSER. These packages were developed at different periods in
time, with different backgrounds and different algorithms. This paper expl
ores which of these packages is the best in yielding a suitable timing plan
for Iowa Street, the main north-south artery in Lawrence, Kan. The timing
plans produced by SYNCHRO, TRANSYT, and PASSER are compared in terms of the
delay, stops, speed, fuel consumption, and emission as analyzed by NETSIM.
The best plan is the one with the most desirable measures of effectiveness
. The result of the study shows that PASSER provides the best timing plan f
or this particular arterial. SYNCHRO is very good at data entry and data tr
ansfer. NETSIM shows strong power in the evaluation of the timing plans in
details and capability of displaying animation. Finally, proper steps to do
arterial coordinated timing analysis using these packages are recommended.