Abstract
The gap acceptance behavior of drivers at U-turn median openings is studied by considering the critical gap which cannot be obtained directly by field measurements. A thorough investigation on critical gap estimation is carried out by collecting the data sets from median openings at 4-, 6-, and 8-lane roads of Hyderabad City, India. Wide difference (10–42%) among the critical gap values estimated by the application of existing methods shows the limitation to consider for the mixed traffic situations. To address this issue, recently developed method Influence Area for Gap Acceptance (INAFOGA) which is based on clearing behavior of drivers at unsignalised intersections is modified and applied considering the merging behaviour of U-turn vehicles at median openings and named ‘Modified INAFOGA’ method. Modified INAFOGA method is compared with probability equilibrium method through paired-sample hypothesis (t test), and result revealed that difference in mean values 0.009 signifies that both methods are comparable. Difference in critical gap values obtained from the box plots and radar charts indicates that probability equilibrium method is not suitable to address the behavior of U-turn vehicles at median openings under mixed traffic conditions. These observations coupled with higher critical gap values validate the fact that ‘modified INAFOGA’ method is indeed appropriate under mixed traffic conditions.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Solberg P, Oppenlander JC (1964) Lag and gap acceptances at stop-controlled intersections technical paper, Joint Highway Research Program (JHRP). Purdue University, pp 1–58
Uber CB (1994) Driver gap acceptance phenomenon. Doctoral Dissertation. J Transp Engg. ASCE 110:145–147
Hewitt RH (1983) Measuring critical gap. Transp Sci 17:1–6
Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) (1994, 2000) SR 209, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washington DC
Weinert A (2001) Estimation of critical gaps and follow-up times at rural un-signalized intersections. In: Transportation research circular E-C018: 4th international symposium on highway capacity, pp 409–421
Tian ZZ, Troutbeck R, Kyte M, Brilon W, Vandehey M, Kittelson W, Bruce B (2001) A further investigation on critical gap and follow-up time. In: Transportation research circular E-C018: 4th international symposium on highway capacity, pp 397–408
Al-Taei AK (2010) Gap acceptance, and traffic safety analysis on U-turn median openings of arterial roads. Al-Rafidain Eng 18(6):42–53
Ebisawa R, Espada IC, Nakatsuji T, Tanaboriboon Y (2011) Gap acceptance characteristics at U-turn section. J East Asia Soc Transp Stud 4(2):63–74
Gavulova A (2012) Use of statistical techniques for critical gaps estimation. In: The 12th international conference reliability and statistics in transportation and communication, pp 20–26
Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) (2010) SR 209, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washington DC
Raff MS, Hart JW (1950) A volume warrant for urban stop signs. Eno Foundation for Highway Traffic Control, Saugatuck
Miller AJ (1972) Nine estimators of gap acceptance parameters. In: Newell GF (eds) Traffic flow and transportation. American Elsevier Publ. Co, Inc., New York, pp 215–235
Troutbeck RJ (1992) Estimating the critical acceptance gap from traffic movements, physical infrastructure centre research report 92-5. Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
Brilon W, Troutbeck RJ, Koenig R (1997) Useful estimation procedures for critical gaps. In: Proceedings of the 3rd international symposium on intersections without traffic signals, Portland, pp 1–34
Yang XK, Zhou HG, Castillo N (2001) The gap acceptance study of u-turn at median openings. Annual Meeting of Institute of Transportation Engineers, Chicago, pp 1–18
Wu N (2006) New model for estimating critical gap and its distribution at un-signalized intersections based on the equilibrium of probabilities. In: Proceeding of the 5th international symposium on highway capacity and quality of service, Yokohama
Wu N (2012) Equilibrium of probabilities for estimating distribution function of critical gaps at un-signalized intersections. J Transp Res Board, No. 2286, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, DC, pp 49–55
Obaidat, T.I.A., Elayan MS (2013) Gap acceptance behaviour at U-turn median openings—case study in Jordan. Jordan J Civil Eng 7(3):332–341
Ashalatha R, Chandra S, Prasanth K (2005) Critical gap at un-signalized intersection using maximum likelihood technique, Indian Highways, Indian Roads Congress, New Delhi, 33(10):67–74
Ashalatha R, Chandra S (2011) Critical gap through clearing behaviour of drivers at unsignalised intersections. KSCE J Civil Eng 15(8):1427–1434
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pannela, S.K., Bhuyan, P.K. Modified INAFOGA method for critical gap estimation at u-turn median openings. Int J Civ Eng 15, 967–977 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-017-0179-6
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-017-0179-6