Methodology for Simulating Heterogeneous Traffic Flow at Intercity Roads in Developing Countries: A Case Study of University Road in Peshawar

Abstract

Urban traffic congestion is one of the major problems of the developing countries. In routine practice, traffic managers use their knowledge and exposure to address this urban mobility menace. This heuristic approach based on individual experience results in inconsistency causing further delays and an increase in travel time. The aim of this research is to incorporate urban mobility dynamics of the developing countries in a microsimulator for real-time decision making. A pilot-scale research was conducted in Peshawar, one of the ten largest cities of Pakistan. Traffic volume, travel time, vehicle specifications and geometry parameters were determined in the field as input for the microsimulation model. Calibration and validation of the model were done, and results of traffic volume and travel time were compared with actual field data and statistical similarity confirmed through paired t-test. The analysis of queue delay, travel time and traffic flow indicates that in most of the cases congestion was found near the intersections and U-turns which was verified from the field data as well. The options of a roundabout and a flyover were assumed in the analysis; resultant queue delay and travel time decreased. With the provision of the roundabout and flyover, the capacity of traffic flow was also improved.