PURPOSES : The turning movement of vehicles is directly affected by such factors as vehicle length, wheelbase, steering angle, articulated angle, and wheel steering. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the impact of changes in each factor on the turning of the vehicle. Because a vehicle with a long body, such as an articulated bus, makes a wide turn, this study analyzes the swept path of the driving vehicle considering the specifications of the vehicle. METHODS : This study was conducted by dividing driving routes into four routes of two-lane four-way roundabouts, and the turning conditions were examined for six types (Type 1–6) that simulated actual articulated bus data. The same vehicle specifications as those of the actual articulated bus were applied to the road design simulation (AutoTURN Pro), and the width of the swept path for the articulated bus was investigated based on the wheel steering control. Using a virtual reference line for dividing the inscribed circle into lanes of the roundabout by 5°, the driving width of the swept path was measured and the angle at which the driving width was largest during driving through the turning intersection was examined. In addition, the changes in the driving width of the swept path according to the wheel steering control under the same wheel turning conditions, as well as the articulated and steering angles, were investigated. RESULTS : The driving width of the swept path for the vehicle (Type 1) with the front wheel control function being an all-wheel system was less than that of an articulated bus with the largest driving width of 15° after entering the roundabout and 15° before entering the roundabout (Type 2). Furthermore, although the specifications of the vehicles were the same, it was determined that Type 5 was superior to Type 6 after reviewing the driving width in light of changes in the steering and articulated angles. CONCLUSIONS : The results of this study are expected to contribute to the field of road design considering traffic safety when large vehicles, such as articulated buses, turn on roundabouts or curved road sections.

PURPOSES : This study was conducted to analyze the driving width of the vehicle body and off-track width of front-rear tires when a large vehicle or an articulated bus passes through a roundabout. METHODS : The driving width was measured using two methods considering the off-tracking tire and the size of the vehicle body. The test conditions of the roundabout were considered as follows: number of entry/exit sections (three-legs roundabout and four-legs roundabout), number of lanes (one lane and two lanes), driving speed (10 km/h, 20 km/h, and 30 km/h), driving trajectory (centerline and maneuver), and driving path (right turn, straight, left turn, and U-turn). The driving trajectories of large buses or articulated buses were analyzed using a road design simulation tool (AutoTURN Pro). RESULTS : Consequently, it was observed that the driving width calculated using the off-track width of the front and rear tires was lower than that analyzed for the vehicle body. The width was smaller in the case of driving in the one-lane roundabout than that in the two-lane roundabout. In particular, it was analyzed that the situation in which the turning path invades the lane appeared in left-turn (East → South) and U-turn (East → East) situations. The width was narrower in the case of driving in the one-lane roundabout than that in the two-lane roundabout. CONCLUSIONS : The study results are expected to be applied for designing roads when large buses or articulated buses are selected as design vehicles.

PURPOSES: The goal of this study is the development of roundabout accident models for urban and non-urban areas. METHODS: This study performed a comparative analysis of the regional factors affecting accidents. Traffic accident data were collected for the period 2010~2014 from the TAAS data set of the Road Traffic Authority. To develop the roundabout accident models, the Poisson and negative binomial regression models were used. A total of 25 explanatory variables such as geometry, and traffic volume were used. RESULTS : The key findings are as follows: First, it was found that the null hypotheses that the number of accidents is the same should be rejected. Second, three Poisson regression accident models, which are statistically significant (p2 of 0.154 and 0.385) were developed. Third, it was noted that although the common variable of the three models (models Ⅰ~Ⅲ) is the number of entry lanes, the specific variables are entry lane width, roundabout sign, number of circulatory roadways, splitter island, number of exit lanes, exit lane width, number of approach roads, and truck apron. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study can provide suggestive countermeasures for decreasing the number of roundabout accidents.

OBJECTIVES : The objective of this study is to develop a traffic accident model of a roundabout based on the type of land use. METHODS : The traffic accident data from 2010 to 2014 were collected from the“ traffic accident analysis system (TAAS)”data set of the Road Traffic Authority. A multiple linear regression model was utilized in this study to analyze the accidents based on the type of land use. Variables such as geometry and traffic volume were used to develop the accident models based on the type of land use. RESULTS : The main results are as follows. First, the null hypothesis that the type of land use does not affect the number of accidents is rejected. Second, four accident models based on the type of land use have been developed, which are statistically significant (high R2 values). Finally, the total entering and circulating volumes, area of the central island, number of speed breakers, mean number of entry lanes, diameter of the inscribed circle, mean width of the entry lane, area of the roundabout, bus stops, and number of circulatory roadways are analyzed to see how they affect the accident for each type of land use. CONCLUSIONS: The development of the accident models based on the type of land use has revealed that the accident factors at a roundabout are different for each case. Thus, more speed breakers in commercial areas and an inscribed circle of proper diameter in commercial and residential areas are determined to be important for reducing the number of accidents. Additionally, expanding the width of the entry lanes, decreasing the area of the roundabouts in residential areas, and reducing the conflict factors such as bus stops in green spaces are determined to be important.

PURPOSES : This study compared two measures of traffic flow effectiveness on roads with roundabouts and signalized intersections and determined the more appropriate measure. METHODS: In addition to average delay time, the conventionally used measure, average travel time was introduced to measure traffic flow effectiveness because it is able to be obtained through field survey and reflect different travel distances and speed limits of roundabouts and signalized intersections. Using the two measures, roundabouts and signalized intersections were compared through simulations in terms of traffic flow effectiveness. RESULTS : For one-way single-lane roads, the two measures indicated consistent results that roundabouts were more effective than were signalized intersections when the traffic volume was less than 300 vphpl but vice versa when it exceeded 450 vphpl; however, the measures yielded inconsistent results when the volume was 350~400 vphpl. For one-way double-lane roads, the two measures indicated consistent results that roundabouts were more effective than were signalized intersections when the volume was less than 200 vphpl but vice versa when it exceeded 400 vphpl; however, the measures yielded inconsistent results when the volume was 250~350 vphpl. The results obtained using the two measures differed substantially for double-lane roads because behaviors such as weaving and lane changing at roundabouts are more common in double-lane roads than in single-lane roads. CONCLUSIONS : The average delay time would be lower on roads with roundabouts, but average travel time would be lower on roads with signalized intersections. Thus, evaluating the relative effectiveness of roads with roundabouts and signalized intersections by using average delay time alone would be inappropriate, whereas using average travel time as the evaluation index would yield fairer results.

PURPOSES: The aim of this study is to analyze and compare the operational effectiveness and safety of three different types of roundabout found in the literatures using a VISSIM and SSAM program. METHODS : The three types roundabout tested are the 2-lane roundabout (2R), the Turbo roundabout (TR), and the Flower roundabout (FR). For each scenario, three roundabout types and traffic conditions such as traffic volume and movement ratio were applied to VISSIM in order to compute the average delays. In addition the total conflict was calculated through SSAM by using trajectory data from VISSIM. RESULTS: From the analysis results, the average delay in TR and FR type was higher than the 2R. Regardless of the roundabout types, the average delay was reduced as the right-turn vehicles increased. The total conflict in TR was fewer than 2R for all traffic conditions. CONCLUSIONS : The results of this study can be used in the planning and design process of roundabout deployment. The data also provides some numerical justifications in transition from at-grade intersection to roundabout.

PURPOSES: The operational characteristics of roundabouts are generally influenced by location as well as traffic volume. The goal of this study is to develop urban and rural roundabout accident models and to discuss safety improvement guidelines based on the model. METHODS : To analyze accidents, count data models are utilized in this study. This study used accident data from 2010 to 2013 for 56 roundabouts collected from the Traffic Accident Analysis System (TASS) of Road Traffic Authority. Poisson and negative binomial regression models were developed for this study using NLOGIT 4.0. RESULTS : The main results are as follows. First, the hypotheses that there are distributional differences in the number of accidents and injuries/fatalities among rural and urban roundabouts were accepted. Second, Poisson and negative binomial regression accident models, which were all statistically significant, were developed. Seven independent variables, which were statistically significant, were adopted. Third, the common variable of models was evaluated to be traffic volume. CONCLUSIONS : This study developed two negative binomial roundabout accident models and suggested some accident reduction strategies. The results are expected to give some implications to the safety improvement of roundabout.

PURPOSES : Although signalized intersections have been considered the best way to control traffic volume in urban areas for several decades, roundabouts are currently being discussed as an alternative way to control traffic volume, especially when traffic is light. Because a roundabout’s efficiency depends on the load geometry as well as the traffic volume, design guidelines for roundabouts are recommended only if the incoming traffic volume is very low. It is rare to substitute a roundabout for an existing signalized intersection in urban areas. This study aims to estimate the benefits from the transformation of an existing signalized intersection into a roundabout in an urban area. When there is a more moderate volume of traffic, roundabouts can be effectively used by optimizing signals located at an approaching roadway. METHODS : The methodologies of this paper are as follows: First, a signalized intersection was analyzed to determine the traffic characteristics. Second, the signalized intersection was transformed into a roundabout using VISSIM microscopic traffic simulation. Then, we estimated and analyzed the effects and the performance of the roundabout. In addition, we adjusted a method to improve the benefits of the transformation via the optimization of signals located at an approaching road to control the incoming traffic volume. RESULTS : The results of this research are as follows: The signal-optimized roundabout improved delays compared with the signalized intersection during the morning peak hour, non-peak hour, and evening peak hour by 1.78%, 12.45%, and 12.72%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS : According to the simulation results of each scenarios, the signal-optimized roundabout had less delay time than the signalized intersection. If optimized signal control algorithms are installed in roundabouts in the future, this will lead to more efficient traffic management.

PURPOSES: The goal of this study is to analyze the travel cost according to transferring from rotary to roundabout in Korea. METHODS: This study gives particular attentions to investigating the existing 48 rotaries in Korea and building the networks of before and after improvements using VISSIM, and analyzing their travel costs. RESULTS: The main results are as follows. First, from the field survey, the domestic rotaries were analyzed to need many improvements of geometric structure for the effective operation. Second, the difference of travel cost at 3-legged rotaries were evaluated to be less than other types of rotaries due to low traffic volume. Finally, the travel cost of 4-legged and multi-legged rotaries were analyzed to rapidly increase by increasing volume. CONCLUSIONS: This study analyzes the effects using both real and simulation data unlike the existing studies. Also, this study suggests the future research topics which compare and evaluate the relations between real data and simulation outputs.

PURPOSES : Under the capacity conditions with balanced approach flows, roundabouts give less delay than existing signalized intersections; however, flows over 450 vehicles/hour/lane with unbalanced approach flow conditions, roundabouts efficiency drops due to the short time difference between the critical gap and the follow-up headway. The purpose of this study is developing a roundabout Signal Metering operation method by considering approach lanes degree of saturation. METHODS : A four-way-approach with one-lane roundabout is selected to compare the Signal Metering performance for the case of 16 different unbalanced flow conditions. Based on these traffic conditions, the performance is evaluated for 64 different cases of Signal Metering combinations by using SIDRA software. A degree of saturation(V/C ratio) sum for two adjoined approaches is used for the performance index of choosing Metered Approach and Controlling Approach. RESULTS : When the V/C ratio sum is 0.29~0.81 and Metered Approach flow is less than Controlling Approach flow, the average delay saving per vehicle is about 7 seconds; however, after this rage the delay saving decreases gradually until the V/C ratio sum reaches around 1.0. The range of V/C ratio sum 0.93~1.09 provides average delay saving per vehicle about 3 seconds. In case of V/C ratio sum is grater than 1.0 and the flows of Metered Approach is grater than Controlling Approach, the average delay per vehicle increases 3~11 times respectively. CONCLUSIONS : As expected, the Signal Metering provides substantial improvements in delay saving for the case of V/C ratio sum is 0.3~1.0 under the traffic flow conditions of Metered Approach is less than Controlling Approach.

PURPOSES: Though the situation that the roundabouts are actively constructed, researches on the effect of the roundabouts focus mainly on the analysis of the expected effects of using only traffic simulation on the operation. Considering such problems, this study is conducted to analyze the effects of the various aspects based on field observation studies. METHODS: This study evaluated and analyzed the effects from the aspects of traffic operation, traffic safety, and traffic behavior by performing field observation studies with six roundabouts with/without signal controls on the pilot project areas for the roundabouts installed in 2010. RESULTS: Through the study results, it was found that the average travel time decreases by 14.7% and 2.4% on the signalized intersections and unsignalized intersections, respectively. The average travel speed increases by 9.7 and 5.8km/h on the roundabouts with/without signal lights. Regarding traffic safety, the speed deviation among individual vehicles decreases by approximately 18.4 to 32.7km/h, thus confirming the safety effects. As the decrease of the number of conflicts, it might be explained that car crashes and collision with pedestrians decreased by 62.2% and 66.7%. Also the result shows that the lowest point of speed in roundabouts appears near the yield line on the entry area on the roundabouts. When passing through the roundabouts, vehicles enter at a speed of 20-30km/h, which is the design speed of the circulatory lane and drive out the roundabout with a higher speed than the entry speed. CONCLUSIONS: When a roundabout is introduced at the intersections below certain traffic volume there are effects of traffic operation, traffic safety, and traffic behavior.

회전교차로(roundabout)는 용량 이하의 상태에서 접근로별 교통류가 균등할 경우 기존 신호교차로에 비해 운영효율성이 증대되나 토지이용변화로 교통량이 증가하면서 접근로별 교통류가 불균등 해질 경우(차로 당 450대/시 이상) 주접근로에서 회전교차로 내부로의 진입이 어려워져 효율성이 떨어지게 된다. 본 연구에서는 1차로형 4지 회전교차로를 대상으로 회전교차로 설치이후 교통량 증가로 신호교차로 설치에 대한 재검토를 하기 전에 회전교차로를 효율적으로 운영할 수 있는 Signal Metering 전환기준 및 운영방법을 제시하고 효과분석(지체 및 대기행렬)은 SIDRA를 활용하였다. 본 연구결과 총 진입교통량이 1,800~2,000pcu/시 이고 주접근로의 진입교통량비가 60~70%일 때 지체는 30~40% 그리고 대기행렬은 30~60% 감소하였다. 또한 주접근로에 가장 인접한 부접근로에 Metered Approach를 설치하고 한 쌍(pair)으로 묶어서 운영하는 것이 효과적인 것으로 분석되었다.

이 연구는 회전교차로의 운영효율을 다루고 있다. 회전교차로는 일반적으로 높은 용량, 지체감소, 안전개선 등의 장점을 가지고 있다. 원형교차로는 통행우선권에 따라 로터리와 회전교차로로 나눌 수 있다. 이 연구의 목적은 시나리오에 따른 로터리와 회전교차로의 운영효율을 비교 분석하는데 있다. 이를 위해 이 연구는 진입교통량과 방향별 교통량에 따른 256개의 시나리오를 설정하고, VISSIM을 사용하여 지체를 분석하는데 중점을 두고 있다. 주요 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 로터리의 평균지체가 회전교차로의 차량지체보다 1.56-8.74배 높은 것으로 분석되었다. 둘째, 주도로와 부도로의 교통량 비율의 차이가 클수록 운영효율이 더 좋은 것으로 분석되었다. 셋째, 4지 교차로의 평균지체가 3지 교차로보다 1.77-11.70배 높은 것으로 평가되었다. 마지막으로 2차로(3지와 4지) 교차로가 1차로(3지와 4지) 교차로에 비해 2.02-2.23배 많은 교통량을 수용할 수 있는 것으로 분석되었다.

원형교차로 중 회전교차로는 기존에 존재하였던 로터리의 형태와 유사한 형태의 교차로로서 최근 세계적으로 많이 설치되고 있으며 우리나라에서도 회전교차로에 대한 관심이 증가하고 있다. 그러나 도시부의 경우 회전교차로 운영 효율에 큰 영향을 미치는 요소 중 하나인 보행량에 대한 영향 분석은 미미하다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 보행량에 따른 회전교차로의 효율 분석 및 보행신호를 제시하였다. 첫째, 도시부 1차로 회전교차로의 용량을 분석하기 위해 VISSIM 시뮬레이션을 구성하였다. 둘째, VISSIM 시뮬레이션을 통해 보행량에 따라 신호가 없는 회전교차로와 신호가 있는 원형교차로로 구분하여 교차로의 평균차량 지체를 산정하였다. 끝으로, 이 연구에서 나타난 분석결과 도시부 회전교차로 설치시 보행량이 200명/시 이하인 경우 회전교차로가 적합하며 보행량이 200명/시 이상인 경우는 펠리컨 신호가 있는 원형교차로, 보행량이 600명/시가 높으면서 교통량이 1,500대/시 이상인 경우는 정주기식 신호가 있는 신호교차로가 적합한 것으로 나타났다.