Estimating Traffic Volume to Identify the Level of Service in Major Intersections of Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Abstract

The increment of vehicles due to the proportional increment of populations and a rapid development of modern society is a major concern in Metropolitan cities in developing countries like Bangladesh. So, it is imperative to monitor traffic volume as well as the quality of transport supply termed as the Level of Service (LOS). The present study is an investigation of the behavior of mixed traffic flow in Rajshahi city of Bangladesh. Field Traffic volume survey was carried out to determine the level of service at 3 major Unsignalized intersections in Rajshahi city corporation (RCC). Level of service (LOS) was determined by volume capacity ratio and peak hour factor (PHF) method. Nature of traffic flow in Rajshahi city is heterogeneous. So, this heterogeneous or mixed traffic are simplified by Passenger car unit (PCU). Then estimated PCU was used to determine LOS. LOS was calculated for both directions of roads. Auto rickshaw, easy bike and Rickshaw are the dominant vehicles in Monicottor, Vodra, and Laxmipur intersection. According to PHF method and V/C ratio method, LOS of Monicottor intersection is very unstable and worst. At Vodra intersection which consists of three legs, Talaimari to Vodra lane contains highest traffic volume at evening peak and the LOS of Vodra to Padma Residentail area is very worst in nature after analyzing both V/C ratio and PHF method. Considering and evaluating all the findings it can be recommended that Restriction for truck movement in daytime should be applied in Monicottor intersection and width of Monicottor to Sondighir mor and Vodra to Padma residential area road need to be increased to make the traffic flow suitable. Also, incorporation of an effective traffic signal, traffic rules and regulation should be applied and maintained properly in the worst condition intersection to accelerate the traffic flow in RCC area.

Solving traffic congestion consequences regarding e-taxi parking by identifying a suitable location for the e-taxi station: geo-spatial and AHP approaches

“…LOS trials the working circumstances of a street constructed on travel time, speed, maneuverability, and safety. LOS is selected with a letter, A to F, where "A" stands the finest-operating circumstances and "F" the stands for the worst one (Kadiyali, 2013) (Figure 2).…”