USEFUL ESTIMATION PROCEDURES FOR CRITICAL GAPS

Many different methods for the estimation of crtical gaps at unsignalized intersections have been published in the international literature. This paper gives an overview of some of the more important methods. These methods are described by their characteristic properties. For comparison purposes a set of quality criteria has been formulated by which the usefulness of the different methods can be assessed. Among these one aspect seems to be of primary importance. This is the objective that the results of the estimation process should not depend on the traffic volume on the major street during the time of observation. Only if this condition is fulfilled can the estimation be applied under all undersaturated traffic conditions at unsignalized intersections. To test the qualification of some of the estimation methods under this aspect, a series of comprehensive simulations has been performed. As a result, the maximum likelihood procedure and the method developed by Hewitt can be recommended for practical application.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology

  University of Idaho, Moscow
  115 Engineering Physics Building
  Moscow, ID  United States  83844-0901

  TransNow, Transportation Northwest

  University of Washington, Department of Civil Engineering
  129 More Hall, Box 352700
  Seattle, WA  United States  98195-2700
• Authors:
  • Brilon, W
  • Koenig, R
  • Troutbeck, R
• Conference:
  • Third International Symposium on Intersections Without Traffic Signals
  • Location: Portland, Oregon
  • Date: 1997-7-21 to 1997-7-23
• Publication Date: 1997-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 71-87

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Gap acceptance; Highway capacity; Traffic estimation; Traffic volume; Unsignalized intersections
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00741181
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 28 1997 12:00AM