Each control device in the network is assigned a visibility parameter (based on roadway geometry, weather conditions, etc.). When calculating the acceleration rate and making decisions on lane changes, a vehicle checks all the downstream signals and signs (including those in the next link on its path) within its view. Signals and signs are considered as acceleration constraints if the distances within which vehicles have to stop, as mandated or suggested by the signals and signs, are less than or equal to the normal stopping distance:
where 
is the distance
required for a vehicle with speed 
to decelerate to a
stop by applying the normal deceleration rate 
; 
is a lower bound of the normal stopping distance.
If a viewed control device is within the above distance, the signal is red or yellow and the travel time to the signal is longer than the expected remaining yellow time, the vehicle prepares to stop using the deceleration rate given by:
where:
where 
is the target speed the driver wishes to use at the
given location. is either set to the
target speed in the lane or
determined based on the angle of the turning movement if the signal or
sign is at an intersection.
The corresponding acceleration rate for all the viewed signals and
signs within the normal stop distance () are
calculated and the one with the minimum value is used as the
signal constrained acceleration rate.
When the state of a traffic signal changes from red to green, a startup delay is added. This delay is a function of the vehicle's position in the queue.
The simulator allows the user to specify probabilities of driver compliance with each type of traffic control. The response to signals discussed above applies only to compliant drivers.
