To maximize the number of vehicles passing by the stop-line in a cycle and improve the operation efficiency of intersection in China,the settlement of left-turn lane waiting-zone is becoming prevailing. Based on confl...To maximize the number of vehicles passing by the stop-line in a cycle and improve the operation efficiency of intersection in China,the settlement of left-turn lane waiting-zone is becoming prevailing. Based on conflicting-point method,the internal mechanism of left-turn flow after stopping line was analyzed through taking postposition left-turn lane waiting-zone intersection for instance. The relationship between the first left-turn vehicle and the last vehicle of previous phase passing the conflicting point was expounded. According to the time of successive arriving of two vehicle flows at conflicting-point,the reasonable layout for waiting area of left-turn vehicles was researched when the clearance index was less than 0. The results suggest that the appropriate layout for waiting area of left-turning vehicles can improve the operation efficiency of intersections.展开更多
The relationship between the opposing left-turn conflict and the traffic participants was analyzed in this study. Based on the traffic conflict technology, the image data were collected in a real traffic situation. Th...The relationship between the opposing left-turn conflict and the traffic participants was analyzed in this study. Based on the traffic conflict technology, the image data were collected in a real traffic situation. The relationship was investigated under two different conditions. The number of opposing left-turn conflicts was positively correlated with the number of left-turn vehicles while the ratio of left-turn vehicles to opposing vehicles was less than 1, and showed a positive correlation with the number of opposing-through vehicles when the ratio of left-turn vehicles to opposing vehi- cles was more than 1. In other words, the opposing left-turn risk was positively correlated with the number of the minor traffic participants, which had a negative effect on the whole traffic system op- eration.展开更多
Many signalized intersections are characterized with frequent left-turn moves. Vehicles waiting for a protected left turn may form long queues, which will increase the intersection delay and negatively impact the netw...Many signalized intersections are characterized with frequent left-turn moves. Vehicles waiting for a protected left turn may form long queues, which will increase the intersection delay and negatively impact the network performance. Researchers and practitioners across various countries underline that access management leads to a smoother traffic flow. One way of access management at intersections is to eliminate the direct left-turn maneuver. This study aims to evaluate how the traffic conditions will be affected from replacing the direct left turn with the right-turn U-turn maneuver at intersections. In case of the right-turn U-turn maneuver, a vehicle turns right instead of making the left turn and travels either to the median opening or to the next intersection to make a U-turn. Two simulation models are built using the Synchro Studio and Aimsun simulation software packages based on the data, collected from one of the busiest intersections in Tehran (Iran), to quantify the effects of replacing the direct left turn with the right-turn U-turn maneuver on the intersection and network performance. Results of a comprehensive simulation analysis indicate that the proposed access management treatment not only significantly reduces the total vehicle queue length and the total delay at the considered intersection, but also decreases the total network delay and the total travel time. Furthermore, elimination of the direct left turn increases the number of vehicles entering the network.展开更多
Based on the symmetric two-lane Nagel–Schreckenberg(STNS) model, a three-lane cellular automaton model between two intersections containing a bus stop with left-turning buses is established in which model the occur...Based on the symmetric two-lane Nagel–Schreckenberg(STNS) model, a three-lane cellular automaton model between two intersections containing a bus stop with left-turning buses is established in which model the occurrences of vehicle accidents are taken into account. The characteristics of traffic flows with different ratios of left-turn lines are discussed via the simulation experiments. The results indicate that the left-turn lines have more negative effects on capacity,accident rate as well as delay if the stop is located close to the intersections, where the negative effect in a near-side stop is more severe than that in a far-side one. The range of appropriate position for a bus stop without the bottleneck effect becomes more and more narrow with the increase of the ratio of left-turn bus lines. When the inflow is small, a short signal cycle and a reasonable offset are beneficial. When the inflow reaches or exceeds the capacity, a longer signal cycle is helpful. But if the stop position is inappropriate, the increase of cycle fails in reducing the negative effect of left-turning buses and the effectiveness of offset is weakened.展开更多
Heavily congested intersections in metropolitan areas in China are facing unique problems due to high travel demand and a high degree of traffic law violations. Based on a study conducted by the authors of this paper,...Heavily congested intersections in metropolitan areas in China are facing unique problems due to high travel demand and a high degree of traffic law violations. Based on a study conducted by the authors of this paper, 93% of left-turn vehicles turning left in these areas were slowed in order to avoid conflict with pedestrians. Intertwined pedestrian and vehicular flows can significantly reduce the capacity of exclusive left-turn lane group through reducing saturation flow rate, which increases the congestion at intersections. This paper investigates how the saturation flow rate of exclusive left-turn lane group is affected by the characteristics of pedestrian flow. By analyzing the imagery data collected by video cameras installed at intersections, the research team is able to obtain the characteristics of both vehicular and pedestrian flows, such as speed and spatial locations. The average operating speed at the saturation flow rate with and without pedestrian traffic is used as a direct measurement to evaluate the effect of pedestrians. Based on the statistical analysis, the paper concludes that saturation flow rate is mainly affected by the position of pedestrian in the crosswalk (inside or outside of left-turn vehicle’s trajectory), and the distance between the vehicle and pedestrians. In general, when the distance is less than four meters, the smaller the distance between vehicle and pedestrians, the larger the impact. However, there is no significant impact when the distance is larger than four meters. To accurately quantify the effect, the degree of pedestrian-vehicle impact is defined in four levels. The results show that the difference in the saturation flow rate between the best and the worst level could be 15.7%, which clearly indicates how important it is to enforce pedestrian crossing behavior.展开更多
Left-turning traffic without a protected left-turn signal is one of the major safety concerns at urban intersections. Though an average of only l0% - 15% of all approaching traffic turns left, significantly a large pr...Left-turning traffic without a protected left-turn signal is one of the major safety concerns at urban intersections. Though an average of only l0% - 15% of all approaching traffic turns left, significantly a large proportion of left-turn crashes occur involving 21% of all intersection fatal crashes. Where traditional safety countermeasures of signal timing-phasing and use of flashing yellow light have reportedly failed to significantly reduce the rate of crashes, an in-vehicle advance collision warning message can be helpful to reduce left-turn collisions at intersections. In this study, an in-vehicle audio warning application has been designed by providing two safety warning messages (Advance Warning Message and Safe Left-turn Maneuver Message) under the vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication system, which is triggered based on the acceptable gaps of oncoming opposing vehicles for a safe left-turn. A driving simulator test has been conducted with 30 participants to investigate the impacts of warning messages on performance measures such as speed and acceleration profiles, collision records, brake reaction distance, and intersection clearance time. Statistical results showed that with the help of these messages, all participants were able to reduce speeds and accelerations and chose suitable gaps without potential conflicts. Moreover, the results of questionnaire analysis provide a positive acceptability especially for the Safe Left-turn Maneuver Message. Based on the performance measurements, this type of safety warning messages can be recommended for possible real-road tests for practical applications.展开更多
Work-zone crashes have always drawn public attention. A number of fatalities are recorded every year nationwide within work zone areas. Most existing countermeasures have been dedicated more to the advance warning are...Work-zone crashes have always drawn public attention. A number of fatalities are recorded every year nationwide within work zone areas. Most existing countermeasures have been dedicated more to the advance warning areas, transition areas, and activity areas of work zone, than the termination areas, where drivers might play less attention to safety threats. In this study, the vehicle-to-vehicle communication based left turn warning system was applied at a work zone termination area, which is immediately followed by a T-intersection. The work-zone is located on the minor road side, while left turn vehicles will be appearing from the major street through the said T-intersection. A smart phone application was designed using Android coding system to provide several types of warning messages to drivers. Corresponding scenarios were designed in a driving simulator, and 20 subjects were recruited to participate in the simulation test followed by a questionnaire survey. The subjects received a warning message when driving to the termination area of a work zone on the coming left turn vehicles. Twenty test drivers’ driving speed, acceleration rates, and break reaction distance to the warning messages were studied in four different scenarios. Results show that the smartphone application has a great impact on driving behaviors, especially the female voice and the beep tone warning, which are recommended for possible field tests. Besides, the developed smartphone applications can be further updated for practical applications of similar needs.展开更多
Traffic intersections are incredibly dangerous for drivers and pedestrians. Statistics from both Canada and the U.S. show a high number of fatalities and serious injuries related to crashes at intersections. In Canada...Traffic intersections are incredibly dangerous for drivers and pedestrians. Statistics from both Canada and the U.S. show a high number of fatalities and serious injuries related to crashes at intersections. In Canada, during 2019, the National Collision Database shows that 28% of traffic fatalities and 42% of serious injuries occurred at intersections. Likewise, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) found that about 40% of the estimated 5,811,000 accidents in the U.S. during the year studied were intersection-related crashes. In fact, a major survey by the car insurance industry found that nearly 85% of drivers could not identify the correct action to take when approaching a yellow traffic light at an intersection. One major reason for these accidents is the “yellow light dilemma,” the ambiguous situation where a driver should stop or proceed forward when unexpectedly faced with a yellow light. This situation is even further exacerbated by the tendency of aggressive drivers to inappropriately speed up on the yellow just to get through the traffic light. A survey of Canadian drivers conducted by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation found that 9% of drivers admitted to speeding up to get through a traffic light. Another reason for these accidents is the increased danger of making a left-hand turn on yellow. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), left turns occur in approximately 22.2% of collisions—as opposed to just 1.2% for right turns. Moreover, a study by CNN found left turns are three times as likely to kill pedestrians than right turns. The reason left turns are so much more likely to cause an accident is because they take a driver against traffic and in the path of oncoming cars. Additionally, most of these left turns occur at the driver’s discretion—as opposed to the distressingly brief left-hand arrow at busy intersections. Drive Safe Now proposes a workable solution for reducing the number of accidents occurring during a yellow light at intersections. We believe this fairly simple solution will save lives, prevent injuries, reduce damage to public and private property, and decrease insurance costs.展开更多
In this paper, we study the non-definite Sturm-Liouville problem comprising of a regular Sturm-Liouville equation and Dirichlet boundary conditions on a closed interval. We consider the case in which the weight functi...In this paper, we study the non-definite Sturm-Liouville problem comprising of a regular Sturm-Liouville equation and Dirichlet boundary conditions on a closed interval. We consider the case in which the weight function changes sign twice in the given interval of definition. We give detailed numerical results on the spectrum of the problem, from which we verify various results on general non definite Sturm-Liouville problems. We also present some theoretical results which support the numerical results. Some numerical results seem to be in contrast with the results that are so far obtained in the case where the weight function changes sign once. This leads to more open questions for future studies in this particular area.展开更多
基金Sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.70631002)Youth Science &Technology Foundation of Xi’an University of Architecture &Technology(Grant No.0608)
文摘To maximize the number of vehicles passing by the stop-line in a cycle and improve the operation efficiency of intersection in China,the settlement of left-turn lane waiting-zone is becoming prevailing. Based on conflicting-point method,the internal mechanism of left-turn flow after stopping line was analyzed through taking postposition left-turn lane waiting-zone intersection for instance. The relationship between the first left-turn vehicle and the last vehicle of previous phase passing the conflicting point was expounded. According to the time of successive arriving of two vehicle flows at conflicting-point,the reasonable layout for waiting area of left-turn vehicles was researched when the clearance index was less than 0. The results suggest that the appropriate layout for waiting area of left-turning vehicles can improve the operation efficiency of intersections.
基金Supported by the Programme of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities (B12022)
文摘The relationship between the opposing left-turn conflict and the traffic participants was analyzed in this study. Based on the traffic conflict technology, the image data were collected in a real traffic situation. The relationship was investigated under two different conditions. The number of opposing left-turn conflicts was positively correlated with the number of left-turn vehicles while the ratio of left-turn vehicles to opposing vehicles was less than 1, and showed a positive correlation with the number of opposing-through vehicles when the ratio of left-turn vehicles to opposing vehi- cles was more than 1. In other words, the opposing left-turn risk was positively correlated with the number of the minor traffic participants, which had a negative effect on the whole traffic system op- eration.
文摘Many signalized intersections are characterized with frequent left-turn moves. Vehicles waiting for a protected left turn may form long queues, which will increase the intersection delay and negatively impact the network performance. Researchers and practitioners across various countries underline that access management leads to a smoother traffic flow. One way of access management at intersections is to eliminate the direct left-turn maneuver. This study aims to evaluate how the traffic conditions will be affected from replacing the direct left turn with the right-turn U-turn maneuver at intersections. In case of the right-turn U-turn maneuver, a vehicle turns right instead of making the left turn and travels either to the median opening or to the next intersection to make a U-turn. Two simulation models are built using the Synchro Studio and Aimsun simulation software packages based on the data, collected from one of the busiest intersections in Tehran (Iran), to quantify the effects of replacing the direct left turn with the right-turn U-turn maneuver on the intersection and network performance. Results of a comprehensive simulation analysis indicate that the proposed access management treatment not only significantly reduces the total vehicle queue length and the total delay at the considered intersection, but also decreases the total network delay and the total travel time. Furthermore, elimination of the direct left turn increases the number of vehicles entering the network.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.50478088)the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province,China(Grant No.E2015202266)
文摘Based on the symmetric two-lane Nagel–Schreckenberg(STNS) model, a three-lane cellular automaton model between two intersections containing a bus stop with left-turning buses is established in which model the occurrences of vehicle accidents are taken into account. The characteristics of traffic flows with different ratios of left-turn lines are discussed via the simulation experiments. The results indicate that the left-turn lines have more negative effects on capacity,accident rate as well as delay if the stop is located close to the intersections, where the negative effect in a near-side stop is more severe than that in a far-side one. The range of appropriate position for a bus stop without the bottleneck effect becomes more and more narrow with the increase of the ratio of left-turn bus lines. When the inflow is small, a short signal cycle and a reasonable offset are beneficial. When the inflow reaches or exceeds the capacity, a longer signal cycle is helpful. But if the stop position is inappropriate, the increase of cycle fails in reducing the negative effect of left-turning buses and the effectiveness of offset is weakened.
文摘Heavily congested intersections in metropolitan areas in China are facing unique problems due to high travel demand and a high degree of traffic law violations. Based on a study conducted by the authors of this paper, 93% of left-turn vehicles turning left in these areas were slowed in order to avoid conflict with pedestrians. Intertwined pedestrian and vehicular flows can significantly reduce the capacity of exclusive left-turn lane group through reducing saturation flow rate, which increases the congestion at intersections. This paper investigates how the saturation flow rate of exclusive left-turn lane group is affected by the characteristics of pedestrian flow. By analyzing the imagery data collected by video cameras installed at intersections, the research team is able to obtain the characteristics of both vehicular and pedestrian flows, such as speed and spatial locations. The average operating speed at the saturation flow rate with and without pedestrian traffic is used as a direct measurement to evaluate the effect of pedestrians. Based on the statistical analysis, the paper concludes that saturation flow rate is mainly affected by the position of pedestrian in the crosswalk (inside or outside of left-turn vehicle’s trajectory), and the distance between the vehicle and pedestrians. In general, when the distance is less than four meters, the smaller the distance between vehicle and pedestrians, the larger the impact. However, there is no significant impact when the distance is larger than four meters. To accurately quantify the effect, the degree of pedestrian-vehicle impact is defined in four levels. The results show that the difference in the saturation flow rate between the best and the worst level could be 15.7%, which clearly indicates how important it is to enforce pedestrian crossing behavior.
文摘Left-turning traffic without a protected left-turn signal is one of the major safety concerns at urban intersections. Though an average of only l0% - 15% of all approaching traffic turns left, significantly a large proportion of left-turn crashes occur involving 21% of all intersection fatal crashes. Where traditional safety countermeasures of signal timing-phasing and use of flashing yellow light have reportedly failed to significantly reduce the rate of crashes, an in-vehicle advance collision warning message can be helpful to reduce left-turn collisions at intersections. In this study, an in-vehicle audio warning application has been designed by providing two safety warning messages (Advance Warning Message and Safe Left-turn Maneuver Message) under the vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication system, which is triggered based on the acceptable gaps of oncoming opposing vehicles for a safe left-turn. A driving simulator test has been conducted with 30 participants to investigate the impacts of warning messages on performance measures such as speed and acceleration profiles, collision records, brake reaction distance, and intersection clearance time. Statistical results showed that with the help of these messages, all participants were able to reduce speeds and accelerations and chose suitable gaps without potential conflicts. Moreover, the results of questionnaire analysis provide a positive acceptability especially for the Safe Left-turn Maneuver Message. Based on the performance measurements, this type of safety warning messages can be recommended for possible real-road tests for practical applications.
文摘Work-zone crashes have always drawn public attention. A number of fatalities are recorded every year nationwide within work zone areas. Most existing countermeasures have been dedicated more to the advance warning areas, transition areas, and activity areas of work zone, than the termination areas, where drivers might play less attention to safety threats. In this study, the vehicle-to-vehicle communication based left turn warning system was applied at a work zone termination area, which is immediately followed by a T-intersection. The work-zone is located on the minor road side, while left turn vehicles will be appearing from the major street through the said T-intersection. A smart phone application was designed using Android coding system to provide several types of warning messages to drivers. Corresponding scenarios were designed in a driving simulator, and 20 subjects were recruited to participate in the simulation test followed by a questionnaire survey. The subjects received a warning message when driving to the termination area of a work zone on the coming left turn vehicles. Twenty test drivers’ driving speed, acceleration rates, and break reaction distance to the warning messages were studied in four different scenarios. Results show that the smartphone application has a great impact on driving behaviors, especially the female voice and the beep tone warning, which are recommended for possible field tests. Besides, the developed smartphone applications can be further updated for practical applications of similar needs.
文摘Traffic intersections are incredibly dangerous for drivers and pedestrians. Statistics from both Canada and the U.S. show a high number of fatalities and serious injuries related to crashes at intersections. In Canada, during 2019, the National Collision Database shows that 28% of traffic fatalities and 42% of serious injuries occurred at intersections. Likewise, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) found that about 40% of the estimated 5,811,000 accidents in the U.S. during the year studied were intersection-related crashes. In fact, a major survey by the car insurance industry found that nearly 85% of drivers could not identify the correct action to take when approaching a yellow traffic light at an intersection. One major reason for these accidents is the “yellow light dilemma,” the ambiguous situation where a driver should stop or proceed forward when unexpectedly faced with a yellow light. This situation is even further exacerbated by the tendency of aggressive drivers to inappropriately speed up on the yellow just to get through the traffic light. A survey of Canadian drivers conducted by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation found that 9% of drivers admitted to speeding up to get through a traffic light. Another reason for these accidents is the increased danger of making a left-hand turn on yellow. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), left turns occur in approximately 22.2% of collisions—as opposed to just 1.2% for right turns. Moreover, a study by CNN found left turns are three times as likely to kill pedestrians than right turns. The reason left turns are so much more likely to cause an accident is because they take a driver against traffic and in the path of oncoming cars. Additionally, most of these left turns occur at the driver’s discretion—as opposed to the distressingly brief left-hand arrow at busy intersections. Drive Safe Now proposes a workable solution for reducing the number of accidents occurring during a yellow light at intersections. We believe this fairly simple solution will save lives, prevent injuries, reduce damage to public and private property, and decrease insurance costs.
文摘In this paper, we study the non-definite Sturm-Liouville problem comprising of a regular Sturm-Liouville equation and Dirichlet boundary conditions on a closed interval. We consider the case in which the weight function changes sign twice in the given interval of definition. We give detailed numerical results on the spectrum of the problem, from which we verify various results on general non definite Sturm-Liouville problems. We also present some theoretical results which support the numerical results. Some numerical results seem to be in contrast with the results that are so far obtained in the case where the weight function changes sign once. This leads to more open questions for future studies in this particular area.