Control Delay Calculation at Diverging Diamond Interchanges

Abstract

Diverging diamond interchange (DDI) is a form of diamond interchange attracting growing interest from traffic engineers and researchers. Conventional control delay calculation models are not effective when applied to DDI because of the possible internal queue spillback. This paper describes a method to calculate control delay at DDI using a new analytical model. The model was first developed for control delay calculations of external movements at conventional diamond interchanges. Through the addition of a function to calculate delay of internal movements, the model was successfully used at a DDI to calculate control delay of both internal movements and external movements. Simulation studies are also conducted to validate the new model. This study can be used either as a stand-alone delay calculation model or as a supplement to existing simulation methods. The model also shows promise for use in other signalized interchange configurations with two or more adjacent intersections.