scholarly journals Optimizing Traffic Operation in Designing Specific Upgrades

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ebrahim Sangsefidi ◽  
Mohammadjafar Rashidbenam ◽  
Shahab Kabiri ◽  
Hossein Amid ◽  
Maryam Sangsefidi

Transport forms one of the primary needs in all categories of the population in modern society; it is of paramount concern for traffic engineers, transport planners, and policy makers to understand and evaluate the quality of service being provided by the transport facilities designed by them. This paper presents an investigation in profile geometric design and traffic flow operation on two-lane two-way highways and provides analyses that will help in a better understanding of traffic operation on these facilities to select the optimum profile configuration. The effects of influencing parameters consisting of grade, length of grade, traffic composition, and traffic volume are evaluated and finally a systematic procedure to evaluate flow rate under the base condition is presented. Finally, based on these achievements an algorithm is introduced to select optimum Finished Ground of profile view. Results show that the percentage of heavy vehicles has a contributing effect on traffic operation so that the optimum profile configuration is incredibly affected by this factor. Source data have been obtained from Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) as a pioneer document in respect of quantifying the concept of capacity for a transport facility.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2615 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-131
Author(s):  
Liang Shi ◽  
Panos D. Prevedouros

Driverless cars (DLCs) are vehicles capable of managing several driving tasks by themselves under different degrees of human intervention. DLCs are able to maintain shorter headways in entering a roundabout and circulating in the roundabout. The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) provides a regression-based gap acceptance model for estimating the capacity of roundabouts. The gap acceptance model captures driver behavior, which is characterized by headways. As automotive manufacturers and technology companies develop driverless capabilities for roadway vehicles, DLCs at various traffic compositions will likely have different effects on the traffic operation of roundabouts. This paper presents the operational analysis for a single-lane roundabout with driverless vehicles under different traffic compositions. Considering the uncertainty of the technological capabilities and the legal and behavioral acceptability of DLCs, sensitivity analyses were conducted. The simulation results for one sample case study show that when the roundabout operates at a Level of Service B (LOS B) or better, DLCs will not have an effect on either the capacity or the control delay. A reduction in control delay will occur when DLCs are set with shorter headways (as assumed for the connected DLC) under low traffic composition (1% to 10%) on a single-lane roundabout operating near capacity. When the share is below 1%, the effect of DLCs is very small. When the LOS of the roundabout approaches E, more reduction in delay is expected when the portion of DLCs in traffic increases.


Transport ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orazio Giuffrè ◽  
Anna Granà ◽  
Sergio Marino ◽  
Fabio Galatioto

Due to its geometric design, turbo-roundabouts impose greatest constraints to the vehicular trajectories; by consequence, one can expect a more unfavourable impact of heavy vehicles on the traffic conditions than on other types of roundabouts. The present paper addresses the question of how to estimate Passenger Car Equivalents (PCEs) for heavy vehicles driving turbo-roundabouts. The microsimulation approach used revealed as a useful tool for evaluating the variation of quality of traffic in presence of mixed fleets (different percentages of heavy vehicles). Based on the output of multiple runs of several scenarios simulation, capacity functions for each entry lane of the turbo-roundabout were developed and variability of the PCEs for heavy vehicles were calculated by comparing results for a fleet of passenger cars only with those of the mixed fleet scenarios. Results show a dependence of PCEs for heavy vehicles on operational conditions, which characterise the turbo-roundabout. Assuming the values of PCEs for roundabouts provided by the 2010 Highway Capacity Manual (HCM), depending on entering manoeuvring underestimation and overestimation of the effect of heavy vehicles on the quality of traffic conditions have been found.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Habibollah Nassiri ◽  
Sara Tabatabaie ◽  
Sina Sahebi

Due to their different sizes and operational characteristics, vehicles other than passenger cars have a different influence on traffic operations especially at intersections. The passenger car equivalent (PCE) is the parameter that shows how many passenger cars must be substituted for a specific heavy vehicle to represent its influence on traffic operation. PCE is commonly estimated using headway-based methods that consider the excess headway utilized by heavy vehicles. In this research, the PCE was estimated based on the delay parameter at three signalized intersections in Tehran, Iran. The data collected were traffic volume, travel time for each movement, signalization, and geometric design information. These data were analysed and three different models, one for each intersection, were constructed and calibrated using TRAF-NETSIM simulation software for unsaturated traffic conditions. PCE was estimated under different scenarios and the number of approach movements at each intersection. The results showed that for approaches with only one movement, PCE varies from 1.1 to 1.65. Similarly, for approaches with two and three movements, the PCE varies from 1.07 to 1.99 and from 0.76 to 3.6, respectively. In addition, a general model was developed for predicting PCE for intersections with all of the movements considered. The results obtained from this model showed that the average PCE of 1.5 is similar to the value recommended by the HCM (Highway Capacity Manual) 1985. However, the predicted PCE value of 1.9 for saturated threshold is closer to the PCE value of 2 which was recommended by the HCM 2000 and HCM 2010.


2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Chen K.C. ◽  
Larry S.T.

The concept of Level of Service (LOS) is originated from the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM). LOS is a qualitative assessment of the operational performance of a roadway facility based on quantitative performance measures. Many transportation infrastructure funding decisions are based on LOS analysis, and LOS designations are intended to represent user-perceived quality of service. This study has been carried out to determine the LOS on different roads. The profile of study area is in Kuching, Sarawak where five roads with different characteristics and posted speed of urban multilane with 80km/hr and 70km/hr, suburban two-lane two-way with 90 km/hr and 80km/hr had been selected for the studies. Substantial numbers of inputs are required for the LOS analysis and determination based on HCM procedures. These inputs are: a long list of traffic volume collected in different peak hours; traffic composition such as proportion of heavy vehicles in traffic; geometric characteristics such as number of lanes, lane width, shoulder width, and approach grades. Results of the study showed that LOS in the urban multilane is still in satisfactory range with LOS ranging from C to D except for most of the traffic congestion cases in urban multilane at the traffic light junctions and roundabouts. However, LOS in the suburban two-lane two-way is only satisfying in the range of LOS E; hence multilane should be introduced in such cases. Recommendations such as to provide various or multitude modes of transportation needs should be introduced in urban area. Furthermore, a suitable and efficient hierarchy in road system should be provided in suburban areas before turning into urban areas.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 601-612
Author(s):  
Ana Tsui Moreno ◽  
Carlos Llorca ◽  
Scott S. Washburn ◽  
Jose Elievam Jr. Bessa ◽  
Alfredo Garcia

The U.S. Highway Capacity Manual (HCM 2010) methodology is used in Spain to evaluate traffic operation and quality of service. In two-lane undivided highways, the effect of limiting where drivers could pass slower vehicles, or passing restrictions, is considered through the percentage of no-passing zones. This measure does not account for how passing opportunities are distributed along the road. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect percentage of no-passing zones and average passing zone length on a two-lane highway and, if significant, incorporate them in the analysis methodology,. The TWOPAS microsimulation program was calibrated and validated to the Spanish conditions. Passing restrictions had little effect on average traffic speed (ATS), with differences lower than 6 km/h between a road segment with no passing restrictions and a road segment with a passing restriction on 100% of its length. Conversely, passing restrictions can increase the percent time spent following (PTSF) up to 30%. Increasing the passing zone length beyond 2,000 m does not improve PTSF. The new models could be used to better estimate traffic operation on Spanish two-lane highways.


2015 ◽  
Vol 776 ◽  
pp. 95-100
Author(s):  
I. Gusti Raka Purbanto

Motorcycle dominates traffic in Bali, particularly in urban roads, which occupy more than 85% of mode share. The three types of vehicles, i.e. motorcycles, heavy and light vehicles share the roadways together. Under mixed traffic conditions, motorcycle may be travelling in between and alongside two consecutive motor vehicles. Considering such a situation, passenger car equivalent values should be examined thoroughly. This study aims to determine passenger car equivalent (PCEs) of motorcycle at mid-block of Sesetan Road. Three approaches are used to examine the PCEs values. This study found that the PCE of motorcycles are in a range between 0.2 and 0.4. This values are about the same to the existing PCE of the Indonesian Highway Capacity Manual (1997). This study also pointed out that motorcyclists and car drivers may behave differently to the existence of motorcycles. Car drivers are more aware than motorcyclists on the existence of motorcycle on the road. Further, more samples are required to obtain comprehensive results. In addition, the presence of heavy vehicles need to be considered for future study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed I. Z. Mohamed ◽  
Yusheng Ci ◽  
Yiqiu Tan

Mega elliptical roundabout is a new intersection on rural multilane highways. This intersection was developed in a previous paper using simulation data, and the authors found that it is better than interchange (full cloverleaf) in most scenarios of traffic flow. Basically, there are no guidelines or procedures for designing mega elliptical roundabout in AASHTO Green Book, Federal Highway Administration guides, and Highway Capacity Manual. Thus, the purpose of this study is to analyze the traffic operation performance and propose a methodology for calculating the capacity of mega elliptical roundabout and also the level of service by gap acceptance theory. Moreover, this research studied the influence of different values of truck ratios and also different values of a major highway speed on geometric design and traffic operation performance for mega elliptical roundabout. To validate the thoroughness of the proposed methodology, VISSIM simulations were conducted. This research will assist practitioners in determining the appropriate geometric design, assessing mega elliptical roundabout intersections, and making comparisons with other alternatives.


Author(s):  
Ioannis Kaparias ◽  
Rui Wang

Inspired by developments in urban planning, the concept of “shared space” has recently emerged as a way of creating a better public realm. This is achieved through a range of streetscape treatments aimed at asserting the function of streets as places by facilitating pedestrian movement and lowering vehicle traffic volumes and speeds. The characteristics of streets with elements of shared space point to the conjecture that traffic conditions and road user perceptions may be different to those on streets designed according to more conventional principles, and this is likely to have an impact on the quality of service. The aim of this paper is, therefore, to perform an analysis in relation to level of service (LOS) and to investigate how this may change as a result of the implementation of street layouts with elements of shared space. Using video data from the Exhibition Road site in London during periods before and after its conversion from a conventional dual carriageway to a layout featuring several elements of shared space, changes in relation to LOS for both vehicle traffic and pedestrians are investigated, by applying the corresponding methods from the 2010 Highway Capacity Manual. The results suggest that streets with elements of shared space provide a much improved pedestrian experience, as expressed by higher LOS ratings, but without compromising the quality of vehicle traffic flow, which, in fact, also sees slight improvements.


Author(s):  
Fabio Sasahara ◽  
Lily Elefteriadou ◽  
Shen Dong

The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) methodology for freeway systems yields average speed values for each segment and does not consider lane-by-lane flow and operational conditions. However, flows are not equally distributed between lanes. In congested conditions and particularly when spillback occurs, flows and traffic conditions vary widely. For example, the rightmost lane may be blocked while the leftmost lane is free-flowing. The purpose of this research is to develop a model for estimating lane-by-lane speeds and flows under various freeway designs and demands. Speed and flow data from loop detectors at several locations around the USA were collected, totaling 531,000 observations aggregated in 15-min intervals. The results show that lane flow distribution is highly dependent on the segment total flow, with different patterns for 4-, 6-, and 8-lane segments. The percentage of heavy vehicles, presence of nearby ramps, day of week, and time of day also affect the distribution of flow among freeway lanes. Theoretical lane-by-lane speed-flow curves were developed and the results were compared with field data. Results showed that lane-by-lane speeds can be estimated accurately, as long as inputs for capacity and free-flow speeds can be provided for each lane in the segment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 181 ◽  
pp. 06006
Author(s):  
Najid

Value of Passenger Car Unit or commonly known as PCU value is a value that is given to any vehicle that is classified into heavy vehicles, light vehicles (passenger car) and motorcycles. The value of passenger car unit on Indonesia Highway Capacity Manual (IHCM) set up in 1997 is based on a study conducted from 1980-1990 in several cities in Indonesia At the time of the study, the traffic conditions are very different to the current traffic conditions. That affects of difference traffic conditions are the composition of traffic, traffic regulations, traffic density, traffic discipline and the presence of mass transit, so that the results of traffic analysis do not always correspond to reality as there are anomalies in the determination of the level of road service (Najid, 2014). As well the incompatibility of the capacity value which is considered due to the incompatibility value of Passenger Car Units (PCU). Evaluation PCU become very important to get the value of traffic parameters into compliance with actually occur. In accordance with the traffic density is higher actually, then it is necessary to study for evaluation against PCU current value and the need to approach or to get the value of PCU more in line with current traffic conditions. Data collected at two cities, those are Bandung and Semarang. Based on analysis found PCU’s value that got from survey have difference but not all significantly with PCU value in IHCM.


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