Development of Bi Directional Mixed Traffic Simulation Model for Urban Roads

Abstract

Most of the cities in developing and emerging countries (e.g. India, China) consist of large newlineproportion of undivided roads which carry mixed traffic with non-lane discipline. Vehicular newlinemanoeuvers on such roads are complex due to high lateral interactions between the vehicles newlinemoving in both directions in the absence of divider (median). Traffic congestion in cities during newlinepeak hours prolongs for longer periods each day which reduces the capacity of roads and newlineincreases delay and pollution. Possible ways to reduce these problems are to improve the newlineoperation of existing road systems through better traffic control and management measures. newlineMicroscopic simulation model is identified as a widely used tool to evaluate traffic control and newlinemanagement measures. newlineThe overall objective of this research work is to develop a microscopic simulation model for newlinebi- directional traffic on urban undivided roads in mixed traffic conditions. The simulation newlinemodel consists of three major logics: vehicle generation, vehicle placement, and vehicle newlinemovement. Longitudinal and lateral movements of vehicles are modeled together to mimic the newlinereal world conditions. The concept of influence area is introduced to identify the most newlineinfluencing leader vehicle in vehicle movement logic. The simulation model is implemented in newlineMATLAB programming language using Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) concepts. The newlinemodel is calibrated and validated using internal and external datasets collected from two newlinedifferent urban cities (Bengaluru and Kollam) in India. The statistical validation indicates that newlinethe simulation model replicates the field conditions realistically. The developed model is newlineapplied to evaluate traffic management measures such as reversible lane (tidal flow) operations newlineand modal shift of private vehicles towards public transport. newlineA reversible roadway is one in which the direction of traffic flow in one or more lanes or newlineshoulders is reversed to the opposing direction for some period of time to reduce congestion. newline