Intersection Design & Control

CE 122 Traffic & Highway Engineering College of SCEGE Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT)

Introduction
Intersections - play an important role in any network system. - points where traffic flow converges and where direction of travel changes. Category of Intersection Shape Type of Structure Type of Operation

Intersection Category
Shape - refers to the configuration of the intersection and
would depend largely on the number of legs. - simpler shape and lesser number of legs

Intersection Category
Type of Structure most of the intersections are either designed
as at-grade intersection or grade separation such as flyovers or interchanges. - type of intersection depends largely on the extent of improvement in terms of easing congestion or reducing traffic accident

Intersection Category
Type of Operation rules and regulation applied to given intersection depend largely on the type of control which is in operation at that intersection. main objective is to simplify traffic flow (reduce number of conflicts of vehicles). - unchannelized or channelized (simplified movement of vehicles - unsignalized or signalized (reduces crossing conflicts).

Basic Intersection Design Principles

When designing or improving intersection, it is very important to follow some basic principles to avoid costly mistakes (lack of intersection capacity and accident-prone.

Basic Intersection Design Principles

Intersection Design Elements

Turning Geometry
-The primary purpose of intersection is to provide change in the direction of travel (either to go straight or turn left or turn right). - turning geometries are direct, semi-direct, and indirect (direct is highly preferred).

Intersection Design Elements

Combination of Direct, Semi-direct and Indirect Elements:

Design Elements of an Intersection Approach

The adequacy in design of each element must be carefully checked considering traffic flow and availability of right-of-way.

For left turn storage, recommended length is = 2 x no. of left turners in one cycle x spacing in queue (6m to 7m) Number of lanes for through, right and left turn vehicles would depend on traffic volume, saturation flow rates, type of operation, etc.

Design Elements of an Intersection Approach

For smaller intersection, a simple curve may be adequate for design of intersection corner and turning roadway. However, for large intersection, the most common type is three-centered curve shown above.

Methods of Control of Intersection

Conflicts - often occur at intersection. - the more the number of legs an intersection has, the more the number of conflicts. - classified as merging, diverging, or crossing conflicts.

Methods of Control of Intersection

Methods of Control of Intersection

Categories of Intersection Control:
A. Unsignalized B. Signalized C. Grade Separation

Unsignalized Intersection Control

Unsignalized
- When 2 minor roads intersect, traffic may be assumed to arrive at any approach of the intersection in random fashion. In this case, signal may not be necessary but some form of control must be employed to ensure safety.

When no clear defined priority for intersection:

Right of Way Rule when 2 vehicles arrive at the same time at the intersection, the vehicle on the right has the priority. (It does not depend on the size of the vehicle right of weight) When there is clear defined priority for intersection: Use of YIELD or STOP Sign.

Unsignalized Intersection Control

Rotary or Roundabout - Another form of unsignalized intersection that works best when the number of turning vehicle is almost equal to the number of through vehicle - All vehicles move counterclockwise in one-fashion way - When traffic signals cost proved costly, roundabout is a good alternative.

Unsignalized Intersection Control

U-Turn Slots - very similar to roundabout except that it favors a particular road, which is assumed to be the major road. - has been implemented at several intersections within Metro Manila.

Signalized Intersection Control

Signalized - control of traffic intersection by traffic signal is done by separation in time i.e., conflicts between opposing or merging streams are prevented by giving the right of way to a given direction.

Signalized Intersection Control

Grade Separation
Grade Separation
- Eliminates the problematic crossing conflicts of the different movements of vehicles. - Flyovers, underpass, or full-blown interchanges are some of the examples of grade separation - They provide the safest and most efficient method of control but definitely the most costly and sometime unaesthetic.

End