Modeling the Relationship between Geometric Design and Weaving Section Flow Process of Conventional Roundabouts

Abstract

In this study, a weaving section flow at a conventional roundabout traffic flow situation is being modeled using Parallel Microscopic Simulation software. The findings discuss the traffic performance of the weaving section of the roundabout in terms of level of service (LOS) under Malaysian roundabout geometric design and weaving section flow parameters. The calibration and validation process of the model was successfully made on the basis of fieldwork before the sensitivity analysis of changing parameters of flow and geometric design began. The results of the simulations indicate that slight changes made to roundabout geometric design and weaving section flow parameters can affect the performance (LOS) of the roundabout. It is possible that roundabout geometric design for Malaysian conditions, from JKR Arahan Teknik, had not taken into account the weaving section flow of the roundabout. The study suggested that a study of traffic flow in Malaysian roundabouts was needed in order to close this knowledge gap and to enable the development of models to support the design and traffic operation processes at entry, exit, and weaving sections of conventional roundabouts. However, the significant output from this research shows that by introducing a slight engineering design improvement, better traffic performance at the weaving section of conventional roundabouts can be accomplished.