Simulation Modeling and Variability Assessment of Delays at Traffic Signals
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 129, Issue 2
Abstract
This paper presents a microscopic stochastic simulation model developed to emulate the traffic movement at signalized intersections and estimate vehicular delays including the acceleration/deceleration delay. The structure and overall logic of the model is discussed in this paper, and validation work using field data proved the model validity to represent real systems. The simulation model was applied to experiment 48 cases and evaluate the impact of the cycle length, approach speed, and degree of saturation on vehicular delays. The impact of each parameter was assessed and analyzed. It was found that the acceleration/deceleration delay component is directly proportional to the cycle length and degree of saturation and inversely proportional to the approach speed. In addition, the impact of approach speed is not significant compared to that of the other two parameters. Furthermore, the ratio of total to stopped delays was also estimated and found to vary between 1.5 and 3.0. The relationship between simulated and the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) 2000 model delays was analyzed for the 48 cases and represented by a linear regression model with of 94.6%. This relationship indicated that simulated delay is higher than the HCM delay by about 6%, and this may be attributed to the different methods applied in both models for calculating delay due to acceleration and deceleration at the signalized intersection.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
Akcelik, R. (1981). “Traffic signals; Capacity and timing analysis.” Research Rep. No. 123, Australian Road Research Board, Vermont South.
Cassidy, M., Chuang, Y., and Vitale, J.(1996). “Reexamining vehicle-actuation strategies at isolated signalized intersections.” J. Transp. Eng., 122(3), 235–240.
“Highway capacity manual (HCM 2000).” (2000). Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washington, D.C.
Law, A. M., and Kelton, W. D. (1986). Simulation modeling and analysis, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1986.
May, A. (1990). Traffic flow fundamentals, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
Mousa, R. M.(2002). “Analysis and modeling of measured delays at isolated signalized intersections.” J. Transp. Eng., 128(4), 347–354.
Olszewski, P.(1993). “Overall delay, stopped delay, and stops at signalized intersections.” J. Transp. Eng., 119(6), 835–852.
Pritsker, A. A. (1986). “Introduction to simulation and SLAM II.” A Halted Press Book, Wiley, New York.
Quiroga, C. A., and Bullock, D.(1999). “Measuring control delay at signalized intersections.” J. Transp. Eng., 125(4), 271–280.
Richardson, A. J. (1979). “Measurement of the performance of signalized intersections.” Transportation Research Record No. 699, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 49–60.
Robertson, H. D. (1994). “Travel time and delay studies.” Manual of transportation engineering studies, 4th Ed., H. D. Robertson, ed., Institute of Transportation Engineers, Washington, D.C., 52–68.
Teply, S. (1989). “Accuracy of delay surveys at signalized intersections.” Transp. Research Record No. 1225, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 24–32.
“Traffic network analysis with NETSIM-user’s guide.” (1980). Rep. FHWA-IP-80-3 Federal Highway Adminstration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C.
Webster, F. V., and Cobbe, B. M. (1966), “Traffic signals.” Road Research Technical Paper 56, Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, London.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 129 • Issue 2 • March 2003
Pages: 177 - 185
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 10, 2001
Accepted: May 8, 2002
Published online: Feb 14, 2003
Published in print: Mar 2003
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.