Faculty Publications
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Item Evaluation of right-turn lanes at signalized intersection in non-lane-based heterogeneous traffic using microscopic simulation model(Maney Publishing michael.wagreich@univie.ac.at, 2015) Asaithambi, G.; Sivanandan, R.In developing countries like India, the traffic on urban roads is highly heterogeneous in nature, with vehicles of widely varying static and dynamic characteristics. This type of traffic is characterized by lack of queue and lane discipline (lane-less movement) based on availability of spaces near intersections. Moreover, at intersections, straight-through, left-, and right-turning vehicles seek to occupy the same physical space. In such situations, the through vehicles are susceptible to delays in the absence of turn lanes for the left-turning and right-turning vehicles and vice versa. Models suitable for analysis of such traffic flow hardly exist, and most of the available models are limited in scope. In the current study, a microscopic traffic simulation model for signalized intersection is developed specifically for heterogeneous traffic. This model covers different vehicle types and allows for some special behavior, such as seepage of two-wheelers to fronts of queues. Detailed study of queue formation and dissipation were done microscopically under non-lane-based traffic conditions near intersection area. The model was calibrated and tested with data from Chennai city, India, and its predictions were found to be in close agreement with the field data. In addition, the model makes a significant contribution to the study of right-turn lane (RTL) on delays to vehicles. In general, RTL is found to be advantageous for most cases of approach volumes and right-turn proportions. The optimal lengths of RTL are suggested for various approach volumes and right-turn proportions. © 2015 W. S. Maney & Son Ltd.Item Microscopic simulation for modeling exclusive stopping space for motorcycles under non-lane based mixed traffic conditions(Institute for Transport Studies in the European Economic Integration, 2015) Asaithambi, G.; Kumar, R.V.Y.; Sivanandan, R.Mixed traffic flow with high composition of motorcycles is a common situation in many urban areas in South Asian countries like India. It consists of vehicles having diverse static and dynamic characteristics. This type of traffic is characterized by lack of queue and lane disciplines. Motorcycles, due to their smaller size, have greater freedom to manoeuver in a mixed traffic stream. They tend to accumulate near the stop line by weaving through gaps between other vehicles during the red phase. The provision of Exclusive Stopping Space for Motorcycles (ESSM) near the stop line is believed to be beneficial in discharging the motorcycles faster, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the intersection. A microscopic traffic simulation model for a signalized intersection developed specifically for mixed traffic was used in this study. The model was calibrated and tested wit h dat a from Chennai city, India. This model was used to simulate traffic flow at an intersection assuming the presence of ESSM. The efficacy of ESSM was evaluated by varying the vehicular composition, traffic volume and ESSM lengths. The findings show that for certain composition, volume levels and lengths of ESSM, delays to vehicles decrease, thereby indicating its benefits. © 2015 European Transport\Trasporti Europei.Item Evaluation of Intersection Traffic Control Measures through Simulation(Springer India sanjiv.goswami@springer.co.in, 2015) Asaithambi, G.; Sivanandan, R.Modeling traffic flow is stochastic in nature due to randomness in variables such as vehicle arrivals and speeds. Due to this and due to complex vehicular interactions and their manoeuvres, it is extremely difficult to model the traffic flow through analytical methods. To study this type of complex traffic system and vehicle interactions, simulation is considered as an effective tool. Application of homogeneous traffic models to heterogeneous traffic may not be able to capture the complex manoeuvres and interactions in such flows. Hence, a microscopic simulation model for heterogeneous traffic is developed using object oriented concepts. This simulation model acts as a tool for evaluating various control measures at signalized intersections. The present study focuses on the evaluation of Right Turn Lane (RTL) and Channelised Left Turn Lane (CLTL). A sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate RTL and CLTL by varying the approach volumes, turn proportions and turn lane lengths. RTL is found to be advantageous only up to certain approach volumes and right-turn proportions, beyond which it is counter-productive. CLTL is found to be advantageous for lower approach volumes for all turn proportions, signifying the benefits of CLTL. It is counter-productive for higher approach volume and lower turn proportions. This study pinpoints the break-even points for various scenarios. The developed simulation model can be used as an appropriate intersection lane control tool for enhancing the efficiency of flow at intersections. This model can also be employed for scenario analysis and can be valuable to field traffic engineers in implementing vehicle-type based and lane-based traffic control measures. © 2015, The Institution of Engineers (India).Item Passenger car unit estimation at signalized intersection for non-lane based mixed traffic using microscopic simulation model(Budapest University of Technology and Economics office@pp.bme.hu Budafoki ut 4 Budapest H-1111, 2017) Asaithambi, G.; Mourie, H.S.; Sivanandan, R.In India, traffic on roads is mixed in nature with widely varying static and dynamic characteristics of vehicles. At intersections, vehicles do not follow ordered queue and lane discipline. Different vehicle types occupy different spaces on the road, move at different speeds, and start at different accelerations. The problem of measuring volume of such mixed traffic has been addressed by converting different vehicles categories into equivalent passenger cars and expressing the volume in terms of Passenger Car Unit (PCU) per hour. The accurate estimation of PCU values for different roadway and traffic conditions is essential for better operation and management of roadway facilities. Hence, the objective of the present study is to estimate the PCU values at signalized intersection in mixed traffic and to study the influence of traffic volume, traffic composition and road width on PCU values. For this purpose, a mixed traffic simulation model developed specifically for a signalized intersection was used. The model was calibrated and validated with the traffic data collected from a signalized intersection in Chennai city. Simulation runs were carried out for various combinations of vehicular composition, volume levels and road width. It was observed that presence of heavy vehicles and increase in road width affects the PCU values. The obtained PCU values were statistically checked for accuracy and proven to be satisfied. The PCU values obtained in this study can be used as a guideline for the traffic engineers and practitioners in the design and analysis of signalized intersections where mixed traffic conditions exist.