Methodology of assessing traffic service level at intersections of feeding focal points

Abstract

The article presents the methodology of assessing the level of traffic service during the operation, conversion or creation of new focal points in urban areas. The presented methodology of assessing the level of traffic service within the context of traffic performance of uncontrolled intersections allows assessing the degree of influence of focal points on the adjacent street-and-road network. The methodology contains nine consecutive steps and results in assessment of the level of traffic service. The distinctive feature of the methodology is the need to distribute the intensity of traffic flows at the entrance or exit to/from the territory in question when there are several feeding intersections. The result of distribution of transport flows is a matrix that relies on the intensity of the transit flow. If the intensity of conflicting traffic flows exceeds the limit values recommended by the national regulatory standards, the traffic must be controlled by traffic lights. An integrated mathematical model is presented; it allows assessing the load factor of traffic on the basis of open source data, for example, geometric parameters of feeding intersections, the area of the focal point and its remoteness from the city center. Such data can be obtained using GIS technologies. The unique character of the integrated model is that it involves parameters reflecting both the transport demand and traffic performance of the feeding intersection. The model includes the boundary intervals of vehicles driving in the main flow and the intervals of movement in the minor flow. The sequence of calculation of the transport demand converted into the influence of traffic flow intensity on the street-and-road network and traffic load factor is shown. Recommendations on how to choose a traffic management pattern for uncontrolled intersections are given.