BIM-based traffic analysis and simulation at road intersection design

Abstract

Traffic analysis at road intersections is an important activity in the project design and planning phases because it allows selecting the most suitable traffic requirements and site characteristics. Therefore, traffic simulation models are indispensable and useful tools to support collaborative decision-making. The building information modeling (BIM) approach shows great potential to contribute to the traffic analysis and road design improvement; however, BIM has been adopted mainly in the building sector, rather than road infrastructure projects. Therefore, this paper presents a BIM-based methodological framework for traffic analysis and simulation of road intersection design. The proposed framework has five main steps: 1) BIM models and traffic information collection; 2) BIM model configuration; 3) BIM simulation, analysis, and calibration; 4) BIM cost analysis and documentation; and 5) alternatives comparison and recommendations. The application of the proposed framework to a case study shows several BIM implementation benefits in the traffic analysis at road intersections. Some of the most prominent BIM benefits observed in the case study are a better understanding of design, improved project quality, more efficient communications, scope clarification, and speed up the design process.