Study of the opportunities of analytical determination of the origin-destination flows in roundabout intersections based on data provided by fixed observers

Abstract

For the purposes of the analysis of road traffic at the level of the area surrounding a roundabout intersection there are times when the flows of Origin-Destination (O-D flows) of the respective intersection are of interest - when it is not possible to improve the level of service of the intersection by means of increasing its capacity, but only by diverting some traffic flows from the respective area. Currently, the determining of these O-D flows is based on video recordings of the intersection traffic, followed by laborious and lengthy analyses of the images obtained. But a prolific way, yet not explored in specialised literature, can be the identification of the analytic relations between O-D flow volumes and the volumes of the intersection traffic flows that can be measured by fixed observers (incoming flows, outgoing flows and conflict flows). As a result, this paper presents the research conducted to identify the possible relationships between these deterministic O-D flows and the flows that can be measured by fixed observers. It was demonstrated that, when performing measuring of the flow of vehicles that turn right with fixed observers, there will be analytical deterministic relationships for the 3-armed intersection with return flows, as well as for the 4-armed intersection without return flows. This means that, for 3-armed intersections with return flows and for 4-armed intersections without return flows, it is possible to fully know the O-D flows based on the flows measured by fixed observers (compulsorily involving right-turn flows), which is an absolutely exciting and unique achievement, as knowing these Origin-Destination flows will allow better regulation of the traffic in the area where the roundabout intersection is, in order to facilitate the upstream diversion of some of O-D flows passing through the roundabout intersection.