Modification of a Highway Capacity Manual Model for Evaluation of Capacity and Level of Service at a Signalized Intersection in India

Abstract

In India, signalized intersections experience heavy and non-homogeneous traffic flow. A proper traffic model must consider the varying characteristics of all the road users to effectively design and efficiently manage the signalized intersections. An evaluation reveals the applicability of Highway Capacity Manual's signalized intersection model for an Indian signalized intersection. The evaluation revealed that the model suffers from serious lacunae when applied to the Indian context. Measures are proposed for the modification of the model, and factors are developed based on proposed modifications in order to make it more suitable for Indian conditions. The factors evaluated are the lane width adjustment factor and passenger car equivalency factors. Mean right-turn width used is 3.6 m while the width provided was 3.3m. Equivalency factors for motorized two-wheelers ranged from 0.4 to 1.3 and for motorized three-wheelers from 5.6 to 9.1. In terms of pedestrian safety, LOS of the intersection is not acceptable.