Analysis of Various Scenarios to Mitigate Congestion at a Signalized Roundabout using Microsimulation

Abstract

Proper use of urban infrastructure is one of the manifest strategies to improve traffic congestion issues. An important part of the relevant urban infrastructure is traffic signals. Traffic signals with optimal timing setting result in a smoother traffic movement. Modeling with microsimulation software is one of the competent tools for the evaluation of traffic flow on an urban road network. In this study, PTV VISSIM microsimulation software is utilized to compare the performance of traffic flow at the signalized roundabout in contrast to a four-way signalized intersection in İzmir, Turkey. For this purpose, a signalized roundabout situated in the center of Bornova district, İzmir, Turkey is selected. Current roundabout and an alternative for the intersection is tested with a detailed set of scenarios. Results from the experimentation show that the alternatively proposed four-way signalized intersection design is better than signalized roundabout in terms of queue lengths and delay times.