Non-Linear Evaluation Model to Analyze Saturation Flow under Weak-Lane-Disciplined Mixed Traffic Stream

Abstract

Saturation flow is an essential parameter for the performance evaluation and signal cycle design of an intersection. However, in a weak-lane-disciplined mixed traffic stream, vehicles (mainly motorized two- and three-wheelers) are more interested in forming queues with the behavior of creeping and infiltration through the larger vehicles for a quick dispersion. Consequently, a high rate of discharge can be found in the first few seconds of green, followed by a wavering discharge pattern to the end of the green period. In this context, the present study frames a non-linear evolutionary model (NLEM) to analyze passenger car unit (PCU) and saturation flow value by minimizing the vehicle encroachment and wavering in discharge for mixed traffic stream. Field traffic data was collected from 10 signalized intersections from three different cities of India. The NLEM considers the vehicle discharge during the saturated green interval in the optimization process to analyze PCU and saturation flow value. The result indicates an appropriate estimation of PCU and saturation flow concerning the Highway Capacity Manual. The discharge profile obtained using the proposed model also specifies the model’s aptness in analyzing the effect of vehicle encroachment and wavering throughout the green period. Thus, the proposed NLEM is probably suitable for analyzing the PCU and saturation flow of an intersection where vehicle interaction is sensitive because of a mixed scenario.