SIGNAL-CONTROLLED ROUNDABOUTS

The last decade has seen an increasing realization that in the future large-scale grade-separated highway construction in urban areas will be severely limited. Instead, the emphasis has changed to traffic management and the optimal use of existing facilities by the geometric re-design of roundabouts and the use of computer control to improve flow through signal-controlled networks. This trend has led to increasing interest being paid to the signal-controlled roundabout which combines the separation of traffic conflicts with accurate computer control. This paper reviews the theoretical concepts which have so far been expounded on the signal-controlled roundabout. A detailed explanation is given of 'conflict separation' and 'natural cycle time', and a comprehensive example is included to illustrate how these concepts can be applied to a specific scheme. Details are given of the performance of signal-controlled roundabouts in Bradford and in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. The paper goes on to describe a computer model which has been developed to simulate traffic flow in and around a signal-controlled roundabout. A before and after study is conducted utilizing the simulation model and the Department of Transport's model for roundabouts, ARCADY. A comparison of queue lengths and delays before and after the installation of signal control is made and conclusions drawn. In addition, the improvement in the level of service after the installation of signals is discussed using the distribution of individual vehicle delays as a basis. (Author/TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0860501124
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was presented at Seminar K, Traffic Operation and Management, held at the PTRC 11th Annual Summer Meeting, University of Sussex, England, 4-7 July, 1983.
• Corporate Authors:

  PTRC Education and Research Services Limited

  110 Strand
  London WC2,   England 
• Authors:
  • FLANAGAN, T B
  • SALTER, R J
• Conference:
  • Planning & Transport Res & Comp, Sum Ann Mtg, Proc
• Publication Date: 1983

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 181-192

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Before and after studies; Conferences; Digital computers; Information processing; Layout; Level of service; Mathematical models; Queuing; Queuing theory; Roundabouts; Simulation; Stabilizers; Traffic circles; Traffic conflicts; Traffic control; Traffic delays; Traffic flow; Traffic signal controllers; Traffic signal cycle; Traffic signals; Traffic simulation
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Application of stabilizers; Queueing theory
• ITRD Terms: 9148: Before and after study; 8525: Conference; 9010: Delay; 8673: Digital computer; 2885: Layout; 653: Level of service; 6473: Mathematical model; 6594: Queue; 438: Roundabout; 9103: Simulation; 654: Traffic control; 671: Traffic flow; 565: Traffic signal; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00384558
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• ISBN: 0-86050-112-4
• Report/Paper Numbers: Volume P240
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 30 1984 12:00AM