Study on the Applicability of RCUT intersection to Improve the Level of Service on Arterial Roads in Japan

Abstract

The actual speed on Japan's ordinary roads is lower than the speed limit, and there is a discrepancy between the travel speeds on expressways and ordinary roads, as there are many signalized intersections on arterial roads that should provide higher traffic functions. In addition, congestion on arterial roads causes various problems, such as reduced smoothness of medium-distance travel and reduced safety on residential roads, and it is necessary to construct a road network with a functional hierarchy to improve the quality of the road network. In foreign countries, a new type of intersection called Alternative Intersections has been introduced, which is less expensive than a multi-level intersection, and has the effect of improving the smoothness and safety of intersections. This study focuses on a control method called RCUT, which is a type of Alternative Intersections, and compares and analyzes conventional and RCUT control methods using simulation to clarify the effects of reducing travel time and increasing travel speed on arterial roads by introducing RCUT in Japan as a new option for intersection improvement.