Comparing Lane Based and Lane-group Based Models of Signalised Intersection Networks

Abstract

This paper compares two analytical approaches for modelling signalised intersection networks in relation to the assessment of signal coordination quality as a fundamental element of network performance analysis. These are (i) the traditional model based on using “lane groups” or “links” through aggregation of individual lane conditions, and (ii) a new “lane-based” model of upstream departure and downstream arrival patterns as well as midblock lane changes between upstream and downstream intersections, and the resulting proportions of traffic arriving during the green period at an individual lane level. The latter is part of a lane-based network model that involves blockage of upstream intersection lanes by downstream queues (queue spillback) and capacity constraint applied to oversaturated upstream intersections. The differences between the two models are expected to be particularly important in evaluating closely-spaced intersections with high demand flows where vehicles have limited opportunities for lane changes between intersections. The lane-based model can make use of “special movement classes” (e.g. through movements at external approaches which become turning movements at downstream internal approaches, and the dogleg movements at staggered T intersections) to enhance the modelling of signal platoon patterns. This allows assignment of specific movements to separate lanes and separate signal phases, and tracking of their second-by-second platoon patterns through the network separately. The method also allows better estimation of unequal lane use cases at closely-spaced (paired) intersection systems, a factor which also affects signal platoon patterns. The paper presents a staggered T network example to demonstrate important aspects of modelling signal platoon patterns by approach lane use and movement class, and to compare the resulting traffic performance measures (delay, back of queue, level of service) with those estimated using the traditional method based on lane groups or links.

Keywords

traffic signals ; intersection ; network ; lanes ; lane groups ; signal coordination ; platoon ; movement class ; congestion ; queue spillback ; delay ; queue ; stops ; level of service

References

1. Akçelik, 1980 R. Akçelik; Lane utilisation and saturation flows; Traffic Engineering and Control, 21 (10) (1980), pp. 482–484
2. Akçelik, 1981 Akçelik, R. (1981). Traffic Signals: Capacity and Timing Analysis . Research Report ARR No. 123. ARRB Transport Research Ltd, Vermont South, Australia (6th reprint: 1995 )
3. Akçelik, 1984 R. Akçelik; SIDRA-2 does it lane by lane; Proc. 12th ARRB Conf., 12 (4) (1984), pp. 137–149
4. Akçelik, 1989 R. Akçelik; On the estimation of lane flows for intersection analysis; Aust. Rd Res., 19 (1) (1989), pp. 51–57
5. Akçelik, 1990 R. Akçelik; Green splits with priority to selected movements; Traffic Engineering and Control, 31 (7/8) (1990), pp. 402–405
6. Akçelik, 1995 Akçelik, R. (1995). Extension of the Highway Capacity Manual Progression Factor Method for Platooned Arrivals . Research Report ARR No. 276. ARRB Transport Research Ltd, Vermont South, Australia .
7. Akçelik, 1996 R. Akçelik; Progression factor for queue length and other queue-related statistics; Transportation Research Record, 1555 (1996), pp. 99–104
8. Akçelik, 1997 R. Akçelik; Lane-by-lane modelling of unequal lane use and flares at roundabouts and signalised intersections: the SIDRA solution; Traffic Engineering and Control, 38 (7/8) (1997), pp. 388–399
9. Akçelik, 2014a Akçelik, R. (2014a). Modelling queue spillback and upstream signal effects in a roundabout corridor. TRB 4th International Roundabout Conference , Seattle, WA, USA .
10. Akçelik, 2014b Akçelik, R. (2014b). A new lane-based model for platoon patterns at closely-spaced signalised intersections. Paper presented at the 26th ARRB Conference , Sydney .
11. Akçelik, 2015a Akçelik, R. (2015a). Modelling signal platoon patterns by approach lane use and movement class. Urban Transport XXI, WIT Transactions on the Built Environment , Vol. 146, WIT Press, Southampton, UK, pp 521-532.
12. Akçelik, 2015b Akçelik, R. (2015b). Development of network signal timing methodology in SIDRA INTERSECTION. Presentation at the New Zealand Modelling Use Group Conference (NZMUGS 2015) , Auckland, New Zealand .
13. Akcelik and Associates, 2015 Akcelik and Associates (2015). SIDRA INTERSECTION User Guide for Version 6.1 . Akcelik and Associates Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia .
14. Nicoli et al., 2015 Nicoli, F., Pratelli, A. and Akçelik, R. (2015). Improvement of the West road corridor for accessing to the New Hospital of Lucca (Italy). Urban Transport XXI, WIT Transactions on the Built Environment , Vol. 146, WIT Press, Southampton, UK, pp 449-460 .
15. Robertson, 1968 D.I. Robertson; TRANSYT. Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on the Theory of Traffic Flow; Strassenbau und Strassenverkehrstechnik, 86 (1968), pp. 134–144
16. Taylor and Abdel-Rahim, 1998 Taylor, W.C. and Abdel-Rahim, A.S. (1998). Analysis of corridor delay under SCATS Control (Orchard Lake Road Corridor). Final Report. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA .
17. TRB, 2010 TRB. (2010). Highway Capacity Manual . Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washington, DC, USA .
18. U.S. Department, 1988 U.S. Department of Transportation (1988). TRANSYT-7F Users Guide . Transportation Research Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, U.S.A .
19. Yumlu et al., 2014 Yumlu, C., Moridpour, S. and Akçelik, R. (2014). Measuring and assessing traffic congestion: a case study. Paper presented at the AITPM Annual Meeting , Adelaide, Australia