Modeling Intersection Traffic Flow & Alternatives
The document summarizes a traffic modeling project analyzing the intersection of Washington Ave. and Chuckwa Dr. The initial model represented current traffic conditions with vehicles traveling straight, while the final model included turning vehicles and daily school drop-off/pick-up traffic as a stress on the system. Data was gathered through observation of arrival times and used to simulate traffic patterns in the morning and afternoon. The model breaks the intersection into four routing sections and uses work centers to simulate the effects of stop signs or stop lights on traffic flow. The conclusion finds that school traffic is a major contributor to congestion and that multiple changes would be needed to fully address the traffic issues.
Modeling Intersection Traffic Flow & Alternatives
- 1. Caleb Alexander, Ron Beranek, Kiel Holliday
- 2. Satelite view of the Washington Ave. and Chuckwa Dr. intersection
- 3. Washington Ave. & Chuckwa Dr. Chose this intersection because Dr. Tigers suggestion Daily personal experience Severe congestion Morning & Afternoon Needs an alternative solution to relieve the stress on the system
- 4. Comparing The Initial Model to The Final Model Initial Model Model the current configuration Model vehicles traveling straight only (no turning) Did not include D.I.S as a problem to the system Model an alternative Final Model Models both current configuration and the alternative using the same inputs Vehicles make turns Includes D.I.S as a stressor
- 5. The Model
- 6. Data Gathering Gather data via observation Measured the arrival times between vehicles Separate measurements for each direction Measure morning and afternoon D.I.S. drop off & pick-up times Collated data and used a normal distribution as an input for the model During data collection, observed traffic was backed up in all directions because of D.I.S.
- 8. Routing Sections The model can be broken up into 4 sections for routing Northbound D.I.S. Southbound, Eastbound, & Westbound Intersection
- 9. Timing Stop Sign Model Work Centers represent 2 seconds of travel Last work centers before intersection have a 4 sec. inter-arrival time to act like a stop sign Stop Light Model Work Center represent 2 seconds of travel Last work center use efficiency to operate like a stop light
- 10. Conclusion D.I.S. was found to be an extreme stressor on the intersection Reconfiguring the intersection to a Stop Light would not correct the traffic congestion A combination of thing would be needed to fix the situation Reconfigure the D.I.S. drop off/pick-up policy Reassess the intersection for the need of an alternative We feel that our model can now be used for any intersection problem with few modifications