Yuzhou Duan

A Study on the Coordination of Urban Traffic Control and Traffic Assignment

The interactions between signal setting and traffic assignment can directly affect the urban road network efficiency. In order to improve the coordination of signal setting with traffic assignment, this paper created a traffic control algorithm considering traffic assignment; meanwhile, the link impedance function and the route choice function were introduced into this paper to study the users route choice and the road network flow distribution. Then based on the above research, we created a system utility value model. Finally through the VISSIM software to simulate the test network, we verified the superiority of the coordination algorithm and the model and gave the optimal flow of the road network.

Capacity and Delay Estimation for Roundabouts Using Conflict Theory

To estimate the capacity of roundabouts more accurately, the priority rank of each stream is determined through the classification technique given in the Highway Capacity Manual 2010 (HCM2010), which is based on macroscopical analysis of the relationship between entry flow and circulating flow. Then a conflict matrix is established using the additive conflict flow method and by considering the impacts of traffic characteristics and limited priority with high volume. Correspondingly, the conflict relationships of streams are built using probability theory. Furthermore, the entry capacity model of roundabouts is built, and sensitivity analysis is conducted on the model parameters. Finally, the entrance delay model is derived using queuing theory, and the proposed capacity model is compared with the model proposed by Wu and that in the HCM2010. The results show that the capacity calculated by the proposed model is lower than the others for an A-type roundabout, while it is basically consistent with the estimated values from HCM2010 for a B-type roundabout.

Capacity Prediction Model Based on Limited Priority Gap-Acceptance Theory at Multilane Roundabouts

Capacity is an important design parameter for roundabouts, and it is the premise of computing their delay and queue. Roundabout capacity has been studied for decades, and empirical regression model and gap-acceptance model are the two main methods to predict it. Based on gap-acceptance theory, by considering the effect of limited priority, especially the relationship between limited priority factor and critical gap, a modified model was built to predict the roundabout capacity. We then compare the results between Raff’s method and maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method, and the MLE method was used to predict the critical gaps. Finally, the predicted capacities from different models were compared, with the observed capacity by field surveys, which verifies the performance of the proposed model.

The Research of the Driver Attention Field Modeling

For expanding the application scope of car-following, based on the basic idea of the noncontact interaction of the objects in physics, establish an attention field model to describe the driving behavior. Firstly, propose the time distance concept to describe the degree of driver perception to the front one-dimensional space and extend its application range to the two-dimensional space. Secondly, connect the point which has the same time distance to constitute the equipotential line of drivers’ attention field equipotent, and establish a model to describe it. Thirdly, define the effective range of the driver’s psychological field with the feature of the driver’s visual distance range increasing and the angle decreasing. Finally, design the calculation method to collect projection of the object in the psychological field scope and calculate the curve points to determine the object’s intensity of psychological field. Preliminarily build the driving behavior model and use the numerical simulation method to simulate the simple transport scenarios; initially verify the validity of the model.

The Departure Characteristics of Traffic Flow at the Signalized Intersection

The motion characteristics of the leading vehicle and the following vehicles of the traffic flow at the typical urban intersections are qualitatively analyzed through the kinematical equation and the traffic wave theory. Then, the motion characteristic of the whole traffic flow during the dispersion process is also studied. Based on the spatiotemporal model of kinematics in the departure process and traffic wave model in the dispersion process proposed, the change of the leading vehicle of the departure process and the time of the following vehicles reaching to the stable speed as well as the relationship between the green time and the departure vehicle number at the intersection are acquired. Furthermore, according to the qualitative analysis and the quantitative calculation of the departure traffic flow at the signalized intersection, the dispersion characteristic of traffic flow at the signalized intersection was studied and analyzed, which provides reliable theoretical basis for traffic signal setting at the intersection.

Review and Outlook of Roundabout Capacity

Capacity is an important part of the operation efficiency at roundabouts. Through analyzing existing capacity models of roundabout, this paper focuses on the problem research principles and methods such as empirical regression model, gap acceptance model and model based on simulation software. The key technologies of modeling are also analyzed. Then the general approaches of modeling roundabout capacity are proposed, combined with some problems easily overlooked in previous study. Determining the interaction mechanism among each traffic flow and considering the significant impact factors, the capacity model is established on the whole. Finally, combing with the control objectives of roundabouts, an outlook is proposed for future studies on roundabout capacity.

Effect of Traffic Volume on Headways at a Single-lane Roundabout based on VISSIM Simulation

With the increase of urban congestion，scholars at home and abroad pay more attention to roundabouts in recent years, which are important nodes in the urban traffic network. A large number of research about roundabouts have been made such as capacity, security, etc. And headway, an important traffic flow parameter, is also studied by some researchers. However, due to the constraints in geometric condition of roundabout and acquisition equipment, it is difficult to obtain the continuous headway data in distinct locations. Using VISSIM, A single-lane roundabout is built in this paper. Considering the geometric characteristics of the roundabout, some basic parameters of driver behavior in the simulation software are calibrated. Simulation experiments under different traffic conditions at four collection points near an approach are made, the results are as follows: The distributions are described in different locations and traffic conditions, and the PDF distribution are given visually with the help of kernel density estimation method, which shows that it has a distinct headway distribution characteristic with the difference of traffic volumes and collection locations. Then the average time headway values are analyzed, which indicate a decreasing trend with the increase of traffic flow. And a fitting analysis is made between AHV and traffic volumes, and the results show that it meets a quadratic nonlinear relationship, while R 2 and RMSE prove that it has a good fitting effect. This paper proves the practicality of VISSIM in roundabout study, and also discusses the relationship between traffic volume and headway, which provides a beneficial trial for roundabout research.