• Title/Summary/Keyword: Highway Geometry

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The Operation Analysis of Signalized Intersections Using ICU Method (ICU 방법을 활용한 신호교차로 운영분석)

  • Kim, Young Chan;Jeon, Jae Hyeon;Jeong, Young Je;Kim, Eun Jeoung
    • KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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    • v.29 no.1D
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    • pp.41-48
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    • 2009
  • The capacity analysis of signalized intersection usually includes a HCM method used at home and abroad and a ICU method this study presents. The HCM method focuses on operation analysis measuring an intersection's delay in terms of given traffic volume, signal operation, and intersection structure data. This method includes planning and design analysis, but these analyses are complex due to being possible through repetitive operation analysis. However the ICU method is a powerful tool for planning and design analysis, because these are possible through brief traffic volume and geometry structure data and consider minimum green time. In this study, the authors studied the ICU method and compared the HCM and ICU by analyzing traffic volume scenarios. Also to consider effectiveness for application of the ICU method, the authors applied the ICU to capacity analysis of intersections on urban arterial for setting major intersection and effect analysis for changing crosswalk type, the number of lane, lane use and operation form of left turn. The result of the analyses shows that the ICU method can measure correct capacity of intersection consist of a broad road in urban area, and is effective for planning and design analysis. This study is expected that traffic experts can grasp correct intersection's capacity and carry out a proper planning or improvement by applying the ICU method to planning and design analysis.

DEVELOPMENT OF SAFETY-BASED LEVEL-OF-SERVICE CRITERIA FOR ISOLATED SIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS (독립신호 교차로에서의 교통안전을 위한 서비스수준 결정방법의 개발)

  • Dr. Tae-Jun Ha
    • Proceedings of the KOR-KST Conference
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    • 1995.02a
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    • pp.3-32
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    • 1995
  • The Highway Capacity Manual specifies procedures for evaluating intersection performance in terms of delay per vehicle. What is lacking in the current methodology is a comparable quantitative procedure for ass~ssing the safety-based level of service provided to motorists. The objective of the research described herein was to develop a computational procedure for evaluating the safety-based level of service of signalized intersections based on the relative hazard of alternative intersection designs and signal timing plans. Conflict opportunity models were developed for those crossing, diverging, and stopping maneuvers which are associated with left-turn and rear-end accidents. Safety¬based level-of-service criteria were then developed based on the distribution of conflict opportunities computed from the developed models. A case study evaluation of the level of service analysis methodology revealed that the developed safety-based criteria were not as sensitive to changes in prevailing traffic, roadway, and signal timing conditions as the traditional delay-based measure. However, the methodology did permit a quantitative assessment of the trade-off between delay reduction and safety improvement. The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) specifies procedures for evaluating intersection performance in terms of a wide variety of prevailing conditions such as traffic composition, intersection geometry, traffic volumes, and signal timing (1). At the present time, however, performance is only measured in terms of delay per vehicle. This is a parameter which is widely accepted as a meaningful and useful indicator of the efficiency with which an intersection is serving traffic needs. What is lacking in the current methodology is a comparable quantitative procedure for assessing the safety-based level of service provided to motorists. For example, it is well¬known that the change from permissive to protected left-turn phasing can reduce left-turn accident frequency. However, the HCM only permits a quantitative assessment of the impact of this alternative phasing arrangement on vehicle delay. It is left to the engineer or planner to subjectively judge the level of safety benefits, and to evaluate the trade-off between the efficiency and safety consequences of the alternative phasing plans. Numerous examples of other geometric design and signal timing improvements could also be given. At present, the principal methods available to the practitioner for evaluating the relative safety at signalized intersections are: a) the application of engineering judgement, b) accident analyses, and c) traffic conflicts analysis. Reliance on engineering judgement has obvious limitations, especially when placed in the context of the elaborate HCM procedures for calculating delay. Accident analyses generally require some type of before-after comparison, either for the case study intersection or for a large set of similar intersections. In e.ither situation, there are problems associated with compensating for regression-to-the-mean phenomena (2), as well as obtaining an adequate sample size. Research has also pointed to potential bias caused by the way in which exposure to accidents is measured (3, 4). Because of the problems associated with traditional accident analyses, some have promoted the use of tqe traffic conflicts technique (5). However, this procedure also has shortcomings in that it.requires extensive field data collection and trained observers to identify the different types of conflicts occurring in the field. The objective of the research described herein was to develop a computational procedure for evaluating the safety-based level of service of signalized intersections that would be compatible and consistent with that presently found in the HCM for evaluating efficiency-based level of service as measured by delay per vehicle (6). The intent was not to develop a new set of accident prediction models, but to design a methodology to quantitatively predict the relative hazard of alternative intersection designs and signal timing plans.

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Mitigation of Insufficient Capacity Problems of Central Bus Stops by Controlling Effective Green Time (유효녹색시간 조정을 활용한 중앙버스정류장 용량 부족 완화 방안 연구)

  • Koo, Kyo Min;Lee, Jae Duk;Ahn, Se Young;Chang, Iljoon
    • The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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    • v.21 no.1
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    • pp.35-50
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    • 2022
  • After the introduction of the central bus lane system, bus traffic was prioritized. This resulted in improved trust from bus users. However, the low capacity at the central bus stop reduces traffic speed and punctuality. In addition, physical constraints are inevitable because the construction of central bus lanes and bus stops considers the city's road geometry. Therefore, this study attempted to optimize the effective green time of the traffic signal system at the entrance and exit of the central bus stop to remedy its insufficient operational capacity. The Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual and Korea Highway Capacity Manual were used as the analysis methodologies. The number of stop areas for central bus stops to be built was determined by excluding variable physical factors, and field survey data collected from nine randomly selected central bus stops currently installed in Seoul were used. A scenario analysis was conducted on the central bus stops with insufficient capacity by adjusting the effective green time, and the capacity of the central bus stop was set as the dependent variable. According to the results, 26.7 percent of the central bus stops with insufficient capacity can solve the problem of insufficient capacity. Therefore, the results of this study can be verified by improving the operation level, and it can be effective even if the number of central bus stops calculated by engineering is not guaranteed during the planning stage of the central bus stop. As the number of central bus stops is expected to increase further as the number of central bus stops increases, it is necessary to improve the number of central bus stops. Therefore, it is hoped that the results presented in this study will be used as basic data for the improvement plan at the operational level before introducing the physical improvement plan.