An International Review of Roundabout Capacity Modelling

Roundabouts are an increasingly common form of road junction worldwide, and their effective design requires a detailed analysis of maximum vehicle throughput capacities. In this paper, the worldwide state-of-the-art in roundabout capacity modelling is examined, covering the three main methodologies on which models are based: fully-empirical, gap acceptance and simulation. It is shown that due to their limitations, each of these methodologies on their own cannot completely explain the complex behavioural and physical processes involved in roundabout entries, hence all the models require strong semi-empirical or fully-empirical bases using data obtained from their countries of origin. Differences in driver behaviour and methodologies thus result in differences in predicted capacities by the various models, and although local calibration allows some transferability, it is often limited by the availability of data or an incomplete understanding of the relationships between model parameters and capacity.

[1]  Raffaele Mauro,et al.  Comparative Analysis of Compact Multilane Roundabouts and Turbo-Roundabouts , 2010 .

[2]  M C Semmens.  THE CAPACITY OF SOME GRADE-SEPARATED ROUNDABOUT ENTRIES , 1982 .

[3]  Abishai Polus,et al.  Analysis and Evaluation of the Capacity of Roundabouts , 1997 .

[4]  John Douglas Hunt,et al.  GAP ACCEPTANCE BEHAVIOUR: AGGREGATE AND LOGIT PERSPECTIVES.. , 1997 .

[5]  Rod Troutbeck,et al.  RECENT AUSTRALIAN UNSIGNALISED INTERSECTION RESEARCH AND PRACTICES , 1991 .

[6]  R T Tudge.  INSECT - The Calibration and Validation of an Intersection Simulation Model , 1988 .

[7]  Hoong Chor Chin.  SIMRO: a model to simulate traffic at roundabouts , 1985 .

[8]  J C Krogscheepers,et al.  UNBALANCED TRAFFIC VOLUMES AT ROUNDABOUTS , 2000 .

[9]  R T Luttinen.  Properties of Cowan’s M3 Headway Distribution , 1999 .

[10]  A. Polus,et al.  Critical Gap as a Function of Waiting Time in Determining Roundabout Capacity , 2003 .

[11]  Raffaele Mauro,et al.  Calculation of Roundabouts , 2010 .

[12]  R Akcelik.  ROUNDABOUTS WITH UNBALANCED FLOW PATTERNS , 2004 .

[13]  R M Kimber,et al.  THE CAPACITY OF OFFSIDE PRIORITY ROUNDABOUT ENTRIES , 1978 .

[14]  Rod Troutbeck,et al.  Traffic interactions at roundabouts , 1990 .

[15]  T Bergh,et al.  ROUNDABOUTS - CURRENT SWEDISH PRACTICE AND RESEARCH , 1997 .

[16]  Shing Chung Josh Wong,et al.  Capacity evaluation of multi-lane traffic roundabout , 2010 .

[17]  Lambertus Gerrit Hendrik Fortuijn,et al.  Turbo Roundabouts , 2009 .

[18]  Orazio Giuffrè,et al.  TURBO-ROUNDABOUT GENERAL DESIGN CRITERIA AND FUNCTIONAL PRINCIPLES: CASE STUDIES FROM REAL WORLD , 2010 .

[19]  Rod Troutbeck,et al.  Background for HCM Section on Analysis of Performance of Roundabouts , 1998 .

[20]  Adel W. Sadek,et al.  Calibration Potential of Common Analytical and Microsimulation Roundabout Models , 2008 .

[21]  Mike McDonald,et al.  THE CAPACITY OF ROUNDABOUTS , 1978 .

[22]  Peter Vortisch,et al.  Microscopic Traffic Flow Simulator VISSIM , 2010 .

[23]  In thIs.  HCM roundabout Capacity Methods and alternative Capacity Models , 2010 .

[24]  R Ashworth,et al.  A NEW PROCEDURE FOR CAPACITY CALCULATIONS AT CONVENTIONAL ROUNDABOUTS. , 1978 .

[25]  Moazzem Hossain,et al.  Capacity estimation of traffic circles under mixed traffic conditions using micro-simulation technique , 1999 .

[26]  Zong Tian,et al.  Driver Behavior and Gap-Acceptance Characteristics at Roundabouts in California , 2008 .

[27]  Ning Wu,et al.  A universal procedure for capacity determination at unsignalized (priority-controlled) intersections , 2001 .

[28]  W Reilly,et al.  HIGHWAY CAPACITY MANUAL 2000 , 1997 .

[29]  J Tan.  A microscopic simulation model of roundabout entry operations: the influence of flows leaving by previous exit on entry capacity; the determination of entry capacity formula in Switzerland , 1991 .

[30]  Ludovic Leclercq,et al.  Microscopic Dual-Regime Model for Single-Lane Roundabouts , 2009 .

[31]  Shing Chung Josh Wong.  On the reserve capacities of priority junctions and roundabouts , 1996 .

[32]  R Akcelik.  GAP-ACCEPTANCE MODELLING BY TRAFFIC SIGNAL ANALOGY , 1994 .

[33]  R Akcelik,et al.  Differences between the Austroads roundabout guide and aaSIDRA roundabout analysis methods , 2004 .

[34]  G Maycock,et al.  THE EFFECT OF ZEBRA CROSSINGS ON JUNCTION ENTRY CAPACITIES , 1982 .

[35]  David Stanek.  Comparing Roundabout Capacity Analysis Methods, or How the Selection of Analysis Method Can Affect the Design , 2012 .

[36]  R. M. Kimber.  Gap-Acceptance and Empiricism in Capacity Prediction , 1989, Transp. Sci..

[37]  Richard Cowan,et al.  Useful headway models , 1975 .

[38]  Rahmi Akçelik,et al.  Lane-by-lane modelling of unequal lane use and flares at roundabouts and signalised intersections : the SIDRA solution , 1999 .

[39]  R. M. Kimber,et al.  Time-dependent queueing at road junctions: Observation and prediction , 1986 .

[40]  M Grossman.  KNOSIMO - A PRACTICABLE SIMULATION MODEL FOR UNSIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS. INTERSECTIONS WITHOUT TRAFFIC SIGNALS, PROCEEDINGS OF AN INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP, 16-18 MARCH 1988, BOCHUM, WEST GERMANY , 1988 .

[41]  Werner,et al.  Studies on Roundabouts in Germany : Lessons Learned by , 2022 .

[42]  Michel J. Simon.  Roundabouts in Switzerland , 1991 .

[43]  Ting Wei,et al.  Developing Capacity Models for Local Roundabouts , 2011 .

[44]  Michael Grossmann.  KNOSIMO - A Practicable Simulation Model for Unsignalized Intersections , 1988 .

[45]  Joe G Bared,et al.  Using Simulation to Plan Capacity Models by Lane for Two- and Three-Lane Roundabouts , 2009 .

[46]  Eleni I. Vlahogianni,et al.  Statistical methods versus neural networks in transportation research: Differences, similarities and some insights , 2011 .

[47]  George F. List,et al.  Appendixes to NCHRP Report 572: Roundabouts in the United States , 2006 .

[48]  E M Hollis.  A PROGRAM TO MODEL FLOWS, QUEUES AND DELAYS AT A ROUNDABOUT , 1979 .

[49]  K Close,et al.  AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS COMPUTER SYSTEMS INDEX , 1976 .

[50]  Raffaele Mauro,et al.  Calculation of Roundabouts: Capacity, Waiting Phenomena and Reliability , 2010 .

[51]  Serhan Tanyel,et al.  A discussion on the parameters of Cowan M3 distribution for Turkey , 2003 .

[52]  윤태영,et al.  Transportation Research Board of the National Academies , 2015 .

[53]  Pete Sykes,et al.  Traffic Simulation with Paramics , 2010 .

[54]  O Hagring,et al.  The use of the Cowan M3 distribution for modelling roundabout flow , 1996 .

[55]  R Akcelik,et al.  ANALYSIS OF ROUNDABOUT PERFORMANCE BY MODELING APPROACH-FLOW INTERACTIONS , 1997 .

[56]  Rod Troutbeck.  EVALUATING THE PERFORMANCE OF A ROUNDABOUT , 1989 .

[57]  T Troutbeck,et al.  LIMITED PRIORITY MERGE AT UNSIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS , 1997 .

[58]  H Botma.  STATE OF THE ART OF ROUNDABOUTS IN NETHERLANDS , 1997 .

[59]  M C Semmens.  THE CAPACITY OF ENTRIES TO VERY LARGE ROUNDABOUTS , 1988 .

[60]  C. S. Fisk.  Traffic performance analysis at roundabouts , 1991 .

[61]  Mustafa Özuysal,et al.  Capacity prediction for traffic circles: applicability of ANN , 2009 .

[62]  R M Kimber,et al.  A TRACK EXPERIMENT ON THE ENTRY CAPACITIES OF OFFSIDE PRIORITY ROUNDABOUTS , 1977 .

[63]  Lambertus Gerrit Hendrik Fortuijn,et al.  Turbo Roundabouts , 2009 .

[64]  M. Sumita.  Table of Contents , 2019, Neurobiology of Aging.

[65]  David S. Hurwitz,et al.  Estimating Critical Gap--A Comparison of Methodologies Using a Robust, Real-World Data Set , 2013 .

[66]  Werner Brilon,et al.  USEFUL ESTIMATION PROCEDURES FOR CRITIAL GAPS. , 1997 .

[67]  Marco Guerrieri,et al.  Right-turn Bypass Lanes at Roundabouts: Geometric Schemes and Functional Analysis , 2012 .

[68]  W Brilon,et al.  Recent developments in calculation methods for unsignalized intersections in west Germany , 1988 .

[69]  Frank Montgomery,et al.  Roundabout capacity in adverse weather and light conditions , 2010 .

[70]  Mark Vandehey,et al.  Roundabouts : A State of the Art in Germany , 2005 .

[71]  Nicole Leemann,et al.  Two-lane roundabouts , 2009 .

[72]  Werner Brilon,et al.  Capacity and design of traffic circles in Germany , 1993 .

[73]  Vincenzo Gallelli,et al.  ROUNDABOUT INTERSECTIONS: EVALUATION OF GEOMETRIC AND BEHAVIOURAL FEATURES WITH VISSIM , 2008 .

[74]  Ola Hagring.  Derivation of Capacity Equation for Roundabout Entry with Mixed Circulating and Exiting Flows , 2001 .

[75]  John Douglas Hunt,et al.  Gap acceptance behaviour : Aggregate and logit perspectives : Part 1 , 1997 .

[76]  Birgit Stuwe.  Capacity and Safety of Roundabouts — German Results , 1991 .

[77]  Ning Wu,et al.  Equilibrium of Probabilities for Estimating Distribution Function of Critical Gaps at Unsignalized Intersections , 2012 .

[78]  R J Troutbeck.  TRAFFIC INTERACTIONS AT ROUNDABOUTS . 15TH ARRB CONFERENCE, DARWIN, NORTHERN TERRITORY, 26-31 AUGUST 1990; PROCEEDINGS PARTS 1 TO 7 , 1990 .

[79]  Josep Perarnau,et al.  Traffic Simulation with Aimsun , 2010 .

[80]  R. Akcelik,et al.  An Assessment of the Highway Capacity Manual 2010 Roundabout Capacity Model , 2011 .

[81]  B Guichet.  ROUNDABOUTS IN FRANCE: DEVELOPMENT, SAFETY, DESIGN, AND CAPACITY , 1997 .

[82]  R Akcelic.  LANE-BY-LANE MODELLING OF UNEQUAL LANE USE AND FLARES AT ROUNDABOUTS AND SIGNALISED INTERSECTIONS: THE SIDRA SOLUTION , 1997 .

[83]  S. Emerson,et al.  AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials). 2001. A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets. Fourth Edition. Washington, D.C. , 2007 .

[84]  J. Tanner,et al.  A theoretical analysis of delays at an uncontrolled intersection , 1962 .

[85]  Hans P. Lindenmann.  Capacity of Small Roundabouts with Two-Lane Entries , 2006 .

[86]  Werner Brilon,et al.  Unsignalized Intersections in Germany - a State of the Art 1997 , 1997 .

[87]  Ludovic Leclercq,et al.  Do microscopic merging models reproduce the observed priority sharing ratio in congestion , 2009 .

[88]  Hashem R Al-Masaeid,et al.  Capacity of Roundabouts in Jordan , 1997 .

[89]  Rahmi Akçelik,et al.  Some common and differing aspects of alternative models for roundabout capacity and performance estimation , 2011 .

[90]  Rahmi Akçelik,et al.  A review of gap-acceptance capacity models , 2007 .

[91]  F. Alphand,et al.  EVOLUTION OF DESIGN RULES FOR URBAN ROUNDABOUTS IN FRANCE , 1991 .

[92]  Richard E. Allsop.  Analysis of Traffic Conditions at Congested Roundabouts , 1998 .

[93]  Gérard Louah.  Recent French Studies on Capacity and Waiting Times at Rural Unsignalized Intersections , 1988 .

[94]  Ola Hagring.  EFFECTS OF OD FLOWS ON ROUNDABOUT ENTRY CAPACITY , 2000 .

[95]  Bruce Robinson,et al.  Roundabouts : an informational guide , 2000 .

[96]  Ruey Long Cheu,et al.  Operations of Modern Roundabout with Unbalanced Approach Volumes , 2011 .

[97]  黒田 孝次,et al.  Highway Capacity Manual改訂の動向--テイラ-教授の講演より , 1984 .

[98]  P. H. Bovy,et al.  Les giratoires en Suisse : on ne les compte plus ! , 1995 .

[99]  B Chard.  ARCADY HEALTH WARNING: ACCOUNT FOR UNEQUAL LANE USAGE OR RISK DAMAGING THE PUBLIC PURSE! , 1997 .

[100]  Ning Wu.  CAPACITY OF SHARED/SHORT LANES AT UNSIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS , 1997 .

[101]  Tomaž Tollazzi,et al.  New Type of Roundabout: Roundabout with “Depressed” Lanes for Right Turning – “Flower Roundabout” , 2011 .

[102]  Mark T Johnson.  Synthesis of Roundabout Geometric Capacity Measurement: Calibration and Validation to U.S. Field Measurements , 2013 .

[103]  Edward Chung,et al.  COMPARISON OF ROUNDABOUT CAPACITY AND DELAY ESTIMATES FROM ANALYTICAL AND SIMULATION MODELS , 1992 .