Abstract
This study provides an integrated strategy, encompassing microscopic simulation, safety assessment, and multi-attribute decision-making, to optimize traffic performance at downstream merging area of signalized intersections. A Fuzzy Cellular Automata (FCA) model is developed to replicate microscopic movement and merging behavior. Based on simulation experiment, the proposed FCA approach is able to provide capacity and safety evaluation of different traffic scenarios. The results are then evaluated through data envelopment analysis (DEA) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Optimized geometric layout and control strategies are then suggested for various traffic conditions. An optimal lane-drop distance that is dependent on traffic volume and speed limit can thus be established at the downstream merging area.
Highlights
Whenever several road lanes are merged to continue into fewer lanes, a merging area is defined
According to optimal lane-drop distances suggested by data envelopment analysis (DEA)/analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach, the following findings can be summarised: 1) Effect of traffic volume and speed limit Both traffic volume and speed limit affects optimal lane-drop distance
This study evaluates microscopic vehicle movements and decision-making process of merging traffic through microscopic simulation based on Fuzzy Logic and Cellular Automata (CA)
Summary
Whenever several road lanes are merged to continue into fewer lanes, a merging area is defined. Priority merging typically occurs when higher-priority major stream vehicles merge with lowerpriority stream vehicles Such merging rules are defined as give-way on-ramp merging [3]. The dynamics of vehicle movements at merging areas have been modelled by several studies at microscopic level [4,5] and at macroscopic level [6]. It is found from these simulation models that capacity as well as safety at the merging areas will decrease when there is a higher vehicle density, shorter merging area and higher operating speed [2,7]. Traffic conflicts from competing traffic streams at the merging area result in greater accident risk, and improving traffic safety is always a critical
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call