Analysis of the Operational Performance of Three Unconventional Arterial Intersection Designs: Median U-Turn, Superstreet and Single Quadrant

Authors: Hana Naghawi, Khair Jadaan, Rabab Al-Louzi, Taqwa Hadidi

Abstract:

This paper is aimed to evaluate and compare the operational performance of three Unconventional Arterial Intersection Designs (UAIDs) including Median U-Turn, Superstreet, and Single Quadrant Intersection using real traffic data. For this purpose, the heavily congested signalized intersection of Wadi Saqra in Amman was selected. The effect of implementing each of the proposed UAIDs was not only evaluated on the isolated Wadi Saqra signalized intersection, but also on the arterial road including both surrounding intersections. The operational performance of the isolated intersection was based on the level of service (LOS) expressed in terms of control delay and volume to capacity ratio. On the other hand, the measures used to evaluate the operational performance on the arterial road included traffic progression, stopped delay per vehicle, number of stops and the travel speed. The analysis was performed using SYNCHRO 8 microscopic software. The simulation results showed that all three selected UAIDs outperformed the conventional intersection design in terms of control delay but only the Single Quadrant Intersection design improved the main intersection LOS from F to B. Also, the results indicated that the Single Quadrant Intersection design resulted in an increase in average travel speed by 52%, and a decrease in the average stopped delay by 34% on the selected corridor when compared to the corridor with conventional intersection design. On basis of these results, it can be concluded that the Median U-Turn and the Superstreet do not perform the best under heavy traffic volumes.

Keywords: Median U-turn, single quadrant, superstreet, unconventional arterial intersection design.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1474325

References:

[1] Jordan Traffic Institute (JTI) Traffic Accident statistics reports for years 2004-2016. Ministry of Interior, Jordan. Retrieved from: http://www.psd.gov.jo/images/jti/images/411.pdf
[2] Department of Statistics, “Jordan in Figure.” Retrieved from: http://dosweb.dos.gov.jo/product/jordan-in-figures-2016
[3] Federal Highway Administration, “Superstreet Benefits and Capacities,” Publication No. FHWA/NC/2009-05, 2010. Retrieved from: https://ntl.bts.gov/lib/37000/37800/37839/2009-06finalreport.pdf
[4] Bared, J.; and Kaisar, E., “Median U-turn Design as an Alternative Treatment for Left Turns at Signalized Intersections.” ITE Journal, vol. 72 (2), pp. 50-54, 2002.
[5] Reid, J., & Hummer, J., “Analyzing System Travel Time in Arterial Corridors with Unconventional Designs Using Microscopic Simulation,” Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 1678, TRB, National Research Council, Washington D.C., pp. 208-215, 1999.
[6] AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials). A policy on geometric design of highways and streets. Washington DC: AASHTO, 2004.
[7] Hummer, J.D and Reid, J.D., “Unconventional Left-Turn Alternatives for Urban and Suburban Arterials an Update,” TRB Circular 501, Urban Street Symposium, 2000.
[8] Hummer, J., Schroeder, B., Moon, J., & Jagannathan, R., “Recent Superstreet Implementation and Research,” 3rd Urban Street Symposium: Uptown, Downtown, or Small town: Designing Urban Street that Work, June 24-27, Seatlle, Washington, Transportation Research Board of National Academies, Washington, D.C., 2007.
[9] Naghawi, H., AlSoud, A. and AlHadidi, T. The Possibility for Implementing the Superstreet Unconventional Intersection Design in Jordan, Periodica Polytechnica Transportation Engineering. doi: https://doi.org/10.3311/PPtr.11635.
[10] Naghawi, H., and Idewu, W., “Analysing Delay and Queue Length Using Microscopic Simulation for Unconventional Intersection Design Superstreet,” Journal of the South African Institution od Civil Engineers, vol.56 (1), pp. 100-107, 2014.
[11] Hochstein, J. L., Maze, T., Welch, T., Preston, H. and Storm, R., “The U-Turn Intersection: Design Guidance and Safety Experience,” Presented at 88th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., U.S.A., 2009.
[12] Federal Highway Administration, “signalized intersection information guide,” Publication No. FHWA-SA-13-027. Retrieved from: https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/conventional/signalized/fhwasa13027/fhwasa13027.pdf
[13] Reid Jonathan D., “Using Quadrant Roadways to Improve Arterial Intersection Operation” Institute of Transportation Engineers, ITE Journal ; June 2000
[14] Google Maps. Prince Shaker Bin Zaid. Retrieved from https://www.google.jo/maps/search/Prince+Shaker+Bin+Zaid.+map/@31.9632282,35.8226805,15z/data=!3m1!4b1
[15] Greater Amman Municipality. Traffic Operation Department reports.
[16] Naghawi H., “Methodological Notes on Regional Level Validation of Microscopic Traffic Simulation Model,” Jordan Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 6 (2), 2012.
[17] Toledo, T. and Koutsopoulos, H.N., “Statistical Validation of Traffic Simulation Models,” Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 1876:142-150, 2004.
[18] Daiheng, N., Leonard II, J.D., Guin, A & Williams, B.M., “Systematic Approach for Validating Traffic Simulation Models’” Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 1876, TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 20-31, 2004.
[19] Hourdakis, J; Michalopoulos, P. G. and Kottommannil, J. A., “Practical Procedure for Calibration Microscopic Traffic Simulation Model,” Transportation Research Board, TRB 2003 annual meeting CD-ROM, 2003.
[20] HCM Highway capacity manual, 4th ed. Washington DC: Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, 2000.