The application of a micro-simulation model to study the safety performance of a traffic signal incident-reduction function

This paper demonstrates the use of traffic micro-simulation modeling for studying the safety impacts of traffic signal treatments and intersection design. It illustrates the methodology and application of this form of modeling using a special incident reduction (IR) function used in signal control in Sweden. The IR-function is designed to mitigate difficult stop-or-go decisions by drivers when caught in the so-called 'dilemma zone' at the onset of amber. A correctly adapted IR-function can greatly enhance the safety performance of signalized intersections. The simulation experiment described in the paper is based on empirical data from a suburban intersection. It was conducted specifically to investigate the effects of the standard IR-function with regard to traffic safety and performance, and to test the boundaries of micro-simulation in relation to safety modeling. Safety effects related to the IR-function were estimated using three proximal safety indicators: Time-to- Collision, red-light violations and braking rates. The simulation results demonstrated a significant safety effect when the IR-function was in operation and a small positive influence on traffic performance. Importantly, this experiment has highlighted the potential for using traffic micro-simulation modeling for traffic safety evaluation in the future.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Archer, J
  • Young, W
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 88th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2009-1-11 to 2009-1-15
• Date: 2009-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 16p
• Monograph Title: Transportation Research Board 88th Annual Meeting compendium of papers DVD, January 11-15, 2009, Washington, DC

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Highway traffic control; Mathematical models; Signalized intersections; Traffic flow; Traffic safety; Traffic signal timing; Traffic signals
• Uncontrolled Terms: Road safety (engineering and vehicles)
• Geographic Terms: Sweden
• ATRI Terms: Crash countermeasure; Modelling; Signal timing; Signalized intersection; Traffic flow; Traffic management; Traffic signal
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01383962
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 22 2012 4:04PM