Simulation of the Pedestrians' Influence to the Capacity of Motorised Vehicles in a Roundabout

T Lerher,M Sraml,T Tollazzi

doi:10.3844/ajassp.2008.34.41

Abstract

A new approach is suggested for dimensioning roundabouts with mathematical modeling of traffic flows using the discreet simulation method, and considering the statistically evaluated entry data for vehicles’ and pedestrians’ traffic flows. The simulation results are useful when determining the capacity of the roundabouts, which will function in different circumstances. The presented model derives from the expected time void in the vehicles’ traffic flow, used by the pedestrians, presuming their advantage when joining into the traffic. The simulation analysis has been verified on a real example of a montage roundabout in Maribor, where measurements of motorized vehicles’ traffic flow, pedestrians’ and cyclists’ traffic flow had taken place.

Highlights

With one-lane roundabouts, problems with entering and exiting the roundabout can occur due to large traffic flows of pedestrians and/or cyclists
The simulation model was created from the actual geometrical data and the kinematics values (Table 1), as well as from a sample of traffic flow of pedestrians and motorized vehicles on all the roundabout’s arms and all the pedestrian crossings (Table 2)
The mathematical modeling of traffic flows with the use of discreet simulations has been used for the analysis of the influence of pedestrians’ flow on the capacity of the roundabout, considering the statistically evaluated input data for the motorized vehicles’ and pedestrians’ traffic flows

Summary

Introduction

With one-lane roundabouts, problems with entering and exiting the roundabout can occur due to large traffic flows of pedestrians and/or cyclists. Vehicles on entries and exits should, as a rule, give priority to pedestrians and cyclists For this reason, disturbances occur in the main vehicle flow, considered as a priority when dimensioning a roundabout intersection and its capacity for the resulting congestions [1]. When a flow of vehicles, traversed by pedestrians and/or cyclists, is oriented towards an exit, the maximum capacity gets exceeded [2]. The procedure, shown in the article, along with the scientific approach to mathematical modeling, presents an instrument that is helpful when deciding how reasonable it is to implement a roundabout in the case of strong traffic flows of pedestrians and/or cyclists

Methods

Results

Conclusion