Methodology for the qualitative evaluation of pedestrian crossings at road junctions with traffic lights

The aim of this work is to test the application of a method for making a qualitative evaluation of pedestrian crossings, based on the methodology of Khisty (Transportation Research Record 1438:45–50, 1994). The study identifies the Performance Measures (Comfort, Safety, System Continuity), with their respective attributes (waiting time, space available while waiting to cross, number of pedestrians, one-way or two-way street, state of the road surface, road width, vehicle speed, visibility, lighting conditions, guardrails, absence of obstacles in vicinity, state of sidewalks, lowered kerb, pedestrian signals, central island), which may be utilized in the evaluation. The first step was to ascertain the relative importance, from the point of view of the pedestrian, of the Performance Measures employed. Then the level-of-service (LOS), as perceived by the users, was determined for each of the pedestrian crossings in the survey, on the basis of the users’ level of satisfaction with each attribute. Khisty’s methodology makes it possible to relate the overall level of satisfaction with a qualitative LOS for the pedestrian facility under analysis. The chosen methodology was adapted to the Brazilian context, in a case study carried out in the city of São Paulo (Brazil), in collaboration with the local Traffic Engineering Corporation (Companhia de Engenharia de Tráfego, CET-SP). To this end, four pedestrian crossings at road junctions with traffic lights were analysed. The qualitative LOS obtained were compared to the quantitative LOS, calculated according to the Highway Capacity Manual (TRB 2000).     

A note on traffic assignment and signal timings in a signal-controlled road network

This paper discusses the problems of using signal timings in a signal-controlled road network to influence equilibrium flows in such a way that some network performance index, e.g. total travel time, is optimised, given that at equilibrium each driver is using a minimum-time route. By means of a simple example, we show that an intuitively acceptable approach explored in other articles does not work and may, in fact, lead to a decline in network performance rather than an improvement.     

Impacts of traffic-flows on vehicular-exhaust emissions at traffic junctions

This paper examines the impact of traffic-flow on CO, NO₂ and PM emissions at two distinct traffic junctions and evaluates the use of emission factors. The study includes three scenarios regarding pollutant emissions, which combine a field, experimental and semi-empirically estimated traffic parameters for free, interrupted and congested traffic-flow conditions. It evaluates the emission patterns for heterogeneity in traffic characteristics of both junctions. The results suggest the corrections to be made to emission factors at traffic junctions for better forecast of air quality.     

A note on a graphical interpretation of wave and shockwave velocities of a traffic stream

This note gives simple equations for wave and shockwave velocities, using a graphical interpretation of speed-intercepts on the speed-concentration and speed-flow curves.     

A note on endogenous variables in household vehicle utilization equations

This paper presents an empirical analysis of the statistical bias resulting from the endogeniety of vehicle specific attributes in econometric models of household vehicle utilization. Using data from a recent U.S. household survey, both corrected and uncorrected vehicle utilization models are estimated. A comparison of these estimation results reflects the substantial bias in model coefficients, price elasticities and income elasticities that can result if the endogeneity of vehicle specific attributes is not considered.     

Modelling the effects of road pricing on traffic using ERP traffic data

Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system involves time-variable charges which are intended to spread the morning traffic peak. The charges are revised every three months and thus induce regular motorists to re-think their travel decisions. ERP traffic data, captured by the system, provides a valuable source of information for studying motorists’ travel behaviour. This paper proposes a new modelling methodology for using these data to forecast short-term impacts of rate adjustment on peak period traffic volumes. Separate models are developed for different categories of vehicles which are segmented according to their demand elasticity with respect to road pricing. A method is proposed for estimating the maximum likelihood value of preferred arrival time (PAT) for each vehicle’s arrivals at a particular ERP gantry under different charging conditions. Iterative procedures are used in both model calibration and application. The proposed approach was tested using traffic datasets recorded in 2003 at a gantry located on Singapore’s Central Expressway (CTE). The model calibration and validation show satisfactory results.     

A note on the turn and arrival likelihood algorithms of traffic assignments

This note illustrates by means of examples that two of the three modifications of Dial's assignment algorithm suggested recently by Tobin (1977) should be subject to further research prior to implementation. Three potential problems with these algorithms are shown to be significant for small contrived networks.     

Effect of road width and traffic volume on vehicular interactions in heterogeneous traffic

Highway traffic flow phenomena involve several complex and stochastic variables with high interdependencies. The variations in roadway, traffic and environmental factors influence the traffic flow quality significantly. Capacity analysis of road sections under different traffic and geometric conditions need to quantify the vehicles of widely varying characteristics to a common and universally acceptable unit. Passenger car unit (PCU) is the universally adopted unit of traffic volume, keeping the passenger car as the ‘standard vehicle’ with reference to its static and dynamic characteristics; other vehicles are expressed to its equivalent number in terms of PCUs. The studies carried out in this aspect represent the dynamic nature of impedance caused by a vehicle while moving through a traffic stream. The PCU values recommended by the Highway Capacity Manual are widely applied in many countries; however, their applicability is highly under debate because of the variations in prevailing local traffic conditions. There are several factors that influence the PCU values such as traffic, roadway, vehicle, environmental and control conditions, etc. Apart from vehicular characteristics, the other two major factors that influence the PCU of vehicles are the following: (i) road width and (ii) traffic volume. In this study, estimation of PCU values for the different types of vehicles of a highly heterogeneous traffic on 7.5‐ and 11.0‐m‐wide roads, using micro‐simulation technique, has been dealt with. It has been found that the PCU value of a vehicle type varies significantly with variation in road width and traffic volume. The results of the study indicate that the PCU values are significantly influenced by the said two factors. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

道路交通安全评价方法研究

随着道路运输的快速发展,我国的交通安全形势也不容乐观。为更好的确保人民出行安全,需在道路建设初期进行安全评价。本文利用德尔菲法进行两轮专家调查,建立了较为科学完善的道路安全评价指标体系;利用层次分析法合理确定各评价指标权重,从系统工程学角度建立了一套可量化、操作性强的道路安全评价机制。     

A comparison between PARAMICS and VISSIM in estimating automated field‐measured traffic conflicts at signalized intersections

The main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between field‐measured conflicts and simulated conflicts estimated from microsimulation model (PARAMICS) using the surrogate safety assessment model. An urban signalized intersection was selected for analysis. Automated video‐based computer vision techniques were used to identify field conflicts. The applicability of a two‐step model calibration procedure applied to VISSIM in a recent study was investigated using PARAMICS. In the first calibration step, the PARAMICS model was calibrated to ensure that the simulation gives reasonable results of average delay times. The second calibration step used a genetic algorithm procedure to calibrate PARAMICS parameters to enhance the correlation between simulated and field‐measured conflicts. Finally, the results obtained from PARAMICS were compared with results obtained from VISSIM. The comparison included three aspects: (i) the car‐following model and safety‐related parameters; (ii) the correlation between simulated and field‐measured conflicts; and (iii) the conflict spatial distributions. The results show that the default simulation model parameters give poor correlation with the field‐measured data, and therefore, using simulation models without a proper calibration should be avoided. Overall, good correlation between field‐measured and simulated conflicts was obtained after calibration for both models, especially at higher time‐to‐collision (TTC) values. At TTC threshold of 1.5 s, PARAMICS overestimates the number of conflicts and VISSIM underestimates it. Both models overestimated the number of conflicts at TTC threshold of 3.00 s. There were major differences between field‐measured and simulated conflicts spatial distributions for both simulation models. This indicates that despite the good correlation obtained from the calibration process, both PARAMICS and VISSIM do not capture the actual conflict occurrence mechanism. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A traffic noise model for road intersections in the city of Cartagena de Indias,Colombia

Road traffic noise models are fundamental tools for designing and implementing appropriate prevention plans to minimize and control noise levels in urban areas. The objective of this study is to develop a traffic noise model to simulate the average equivalent sound pressure level at road intersections based on traffic flow and site characteristics, in the city of Cartagena de Indias (Cartagena), Colombia. Motorcycles are included as an additional vehicle category since they represent more than 30% of the total traffic flow and a distinctive source of noise that needs to be characterized. Noise measurements are collected using a sound level meter Type II. The data analysis leads to the development of noise maps and a general mathematical model for the city of Cartagena, Colombia, which correlates the sound levels as a function of vehicle flow within road intersections. The highest noise levels were 79.7 dB(A) for the road intersection María Auxiliadora during the week (business days) and 77.7 dB(A) for the road intersection India Catalina during weekends (non-business days). Although traffic and noise are naturally related, the intersections with higher vehicle flow did not have the highest noise levels. The roadway noise for these intersections in the city of Cartagena exceeds current limit standards. The roadway noise model is able to satisfactorily predict noise emissions for road intersections in the city of Cartagena, Colombia.     

The impact of road traffic noise on urban protected areas: A landscape modeling approach

We modeled the propagation of traffic noise over the landscape and analyzed its impact on the structure and configuration of protected areas of the Twin Cities Metro Region, Minnesota. Using four noise thresholds, we found that at low and medium noise levels, 19% and 11% of the protected areas are within the road-effect zone. Using mean patch area and patch shape index, we measured the acoustic fragmentation of habitats. We found that at higher levels of noise patch shape index increased, while mean patch size decreased. The acoustic diversity of a patch is also found to be correlated with land cover type, patch area, and patch shape.     

On dynamics of traffic queues in a road network with route choice based on real time traffic information

Introducing real time traffic information into transportation network makes it necessary to consider development of queues and traffic flows as a dynamic process. This paper initiates a theoretical study of conditions under which this process is stable. A model is presented that describes within-one-day development of queues when drivers affected by real-time traffic information choose their paths en route. The model is reduced to a system of differential equations with delay. Equilibrium points of the system correspond to constant queue lengths. Stability of the system is investigated using characteristic values of the linearised minimal face flow. A traffic network example illustrating the method is provided.     

The contribution of road traffic to particulate matter and metals in air pollution in the vicinity of an urban road

A detailed investigation was conducted to study the sources of particulate matter in the vicinity of an urban road in Žilina. To determine the amount of particulate matter (PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and PM₁) present in the ambient air, a reference gravimetric method was used. The main objective of this contribution was to identify the sources of these particles by means of statistical methods, specifically principal component analysis (PCA), factor analysis (FA), and absolute principal component scores (APCS), as well as using the presence of 17 metals in the particulate matter (Na, Mg, Al, Ca, V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Sb, Cd, Ba, Pb). To identify the metals in the particulate matter samples and to determine their abundances, spectroscopic methods were used, specifically inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Each of these metals may come from a specific source, such as the burning of fossil fuels in fossil fuel power plants; local heating of households; the burning of liquefied fossil fuels in the combustion engines of vehicles; the burning of coal and wood; non-combustion related emissions resulting from vehicular traffic; resuspension of traffic-related dust; and industry. Diesel vehicles and non-combustion emissions from road traffic have been identified as two key sources of the particulate matter. The results reveal that non-combustion emissions, which are associated with the elements Na, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Mo, Sb, Cd, and Pb, are the major contributors, followed by combustion emissions from diesel vehicles, which are associated with the elements Mg, Ca, and Ba.     

基于灰色关联度的交通安全道路影响因素辨析

道路系统中诸因素共同作用决定了系统的交通安全发展态势。如何在众多因素中寻找主要致因,是进行道路安全改善时所必须面对的问题。考虑到数据获取贫信息的特点,采用灰色关联分析,不但可以提高现有数据的利用率,而且弥补常用数理统计方法作系统分析所导致的缺憾。实例分析表明:采用此方法所得到的主要道路影响因素和交通安全之间的关联度大小与实地踏查结果相吻合,结果说明灰色关联度可以简单而高效地进行系统因素辨析。     

TransCAD中OD矩阵反推方法在道路交通量预测中的应用研究

利用TransCAD软件OD矩阵反推功能,结合实践经验及国外相关资料,介绍了在城市新建项目交通影响评价过程中周边道路交通量预测方法。     

A probabilistic model for the behaviour of traffic at a roundabout

A discrete-time, Markov chain model is proposed to describe the behaviour of traffic travelling on a single-lane roundabout and queueing on approach roads to enter the roundabout. A general origin-destination matrix is allowed for trip ends, there is an arbitrary number of approach roads and there is room for a general number of vehicles on each weaving section. Attention is given to the equilibrium régime at an approach subject to heavy traffic conditions. It is shown that for such an approach the moments of the distribution of the length of the queue of waiting vehicles may be found by a heavy traffic approximation.     

The effect of bus detection on the performance of a traffic signal controlled intersection

An investigation has been carried out to determine any possible improvement to the overall performance of a traffic signal controlled intersection when a bus-actuated system is superimposed on fixed-time control. A hypothetical site downstream from a set of genuine signals was selected and data concerning flows, journey times and arrival patterns of vehicles were recorded. The Transyt program was used to obtain the appropriate offsets and splits at the hypothetical site for different levels of side road volume and these were fed into a simulation program together with the arrival times of vehicles to calculate the respective performance indices. The simulation program was then altered to represent a bus-actuated system where the signals would change at the detection of buses according to a predetermined policy but subject to overriding constraints imposed by the fixed-time settings. It was found that the bus-actuated system of control best suited a low flow of buses while fixed-time control gave a better performance index with a higher bus flow.     

Modeling the impact of government guarantees on toll charge,road quality and capacity for Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) road projects

Government guarantees are frequently used to attract private investors’ participation into Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) road projects. In this paper, we investigate the impact of government guarantees on toll charge, road quality and road capacity by taking perspective of the private investor. The main results are: (1) Minimum traffic guarantee increases toll charge while decreasing road quality. Under a low guarantee level, minimum traffic guarantee has no impact on road capacity. However, it improves road capacity when a high guarantee level is performed. (2) Under minimum revenue guarantee, if the guarantee level is sufficiently high, the optimal toll charge will be sufficiently large, but road quality and road capacity will approach zero. (3) Price compensation guarantee decreases toll charge and increases both road quality and road capacity. This paper further investigates the impact of government guarantees when the contract is auctioned. We find that auction reduces the impact of government guarantees on toll charge while failing to affect the impact of government guarantees on road quality and capacity. Some policy implications are also derived from our model results.     

Contrasting the direct use of data from traffic radars and video-cameras with traffic simulation in the estimation of road emissions and PM hotspot analysis

This study investigates the effect of traffic volume and speed data on the simulation of vehicle emissions and hotspot analysis. Data from a microwave radar and video cameras were first used directly for emission modelling. They were then used as input to a traffic simulation model whereby vehicle drive cycles were extracted to estimate emissions. To reach this objective, hourly traffic data were collected from three periods including morning peak (6–9 am), midday (11–2 pm), and afternoon peak (3–6 pm) on a weekday (June 23, 2016) along a high-volume corridor in Toronto, Canada. Traffic volumes were detected by a single radar and two video cameras operated by the Southern Ontario Centre for Atmospheric Aerosol Research. Traffic volume and composition derived from the radar had lower accuracy than the video camera data and the radar performance varied by lane exhibiting poorer performance in the remote lanes. Radar speeds collected at a single point on the corridor had higher variability than simulated traffic speeds, and average speeds were closer after model calibration. Traffic emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) were estimated using radar data as well as using simulated traffic based on various speed aggregation methods. Our results illustrate the range of emission estimates (NO_x: 4.0–27.0 g; PM₁₀: 0.3–4.8 g; PM_2.5: 0.2–1.3 g) for the corridor. The estimates based on radar speeds were at least three times lower than emissions derived from simulated vehicle trajectories. Finally, the PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 near-road concentrations derived from emissions based on simulated speeds were two or three times higher than concentrations based on emissions derived using radar data. Our findings are relevant for project-level emission inventories and PM hot-spot analysis; caution must be exercised when using raw radar data for emission modeling purposes.