Effect of Platoons on Permissive Left‐Turn Capacity: Pilot Study

Abstract

Existing models for estimating left turn capacity assume an average opposing flow rate throughout the cycle. While this assumption may be valid under random arrivals, it is evident that the presence of platoons results in different arrival patterns on the opposing approach during the green and red phases respectively. Pilot data collected at one intersection in the City of Chicago showed that the observed left‐turn capacity is inversely proportional to the platoon ratio and flow rate on the opposing approach. This indicates that progression for through traffic may have an adverse effect on the opposing left‐turns.