Overview
In the field of intersections, a substantial lack of references at national level was highlighted both of normative nature as for design, in particular concerning methodological performance aspects.
The project aimed to improve this state of the art, starting from the results obtained so far in the international arena and integrating them with a deepening and development of methodologies for the study and design of various types of intersections.
The goal of the research was a study of regulatory, infrastructure, environmental and especially modelling aspects focused on road intersections.
Its main purpose was the production of guidelines that provided operational support in the analysis, simulation and design of intersections. This study considered both signalized intersections and those regulated by fixed signs.
The studies were specifically detailed for the following levels of increasing complexity:
- Precedence intersections, i.e. is not signalized
- Roundabouts without traffic lights
- Isolated intersections (independent form the others) controlled by traffic lights;
- Complex intersections (sets of elementary nodes together with strong interactions) signalized;
- Interdependent intersections regulated by traffic lights, that is, a set of intersections where delays are also dependent on the phase shifts of traffic plans, with particular regard to the case of “thoroughfare”.
Funding
Results
In depth analysis and methodological development brought and increased knowledge of intersections design.
The project also drafted Guidelines which described for each type of intersection the methods of simulation and design that can be used. Moreover, they defined the fields of use for each type of intersection and formed a detailed guide at operational level.