Extent of Entry Capacity Loss at Roundabouts Caused by Rainy Conditions

Abstract

Entry capacity loss at multilane roundabouts caused by rainfall was investigated. Traffic and rainfall data were collected continuously for eight weeks at selected sites in South Africa and Malaysia. ree classes of rainfall (light, moderate, and heavy) were used. Both linear and exponential techniques were used to model the relationship between entry and circulating traffic flows. Correction factor for entry angle and radius was introduced in the linear model equations to allow for variations in geometric data. Correction factor is not required for the exponential model technique. Notwithstanding, both techniques predicted that entry capacity loss would result from rainfalls irrespective of their intensity. Results show that light rainfall may cause about 5% entry and circulating capacity loss, moderate rainfall may cause about 12% capacity loss, and heavy rainfall may cause about 17% capacity loss. is paper proposed further studies into the effect of two circulating lanes rather than one on entry capacity at roundabouts.

New Extensions and Applications of the Modified Chumanov Model for Calculating Entry Capacity of Single-Lane Roundabouts

“…To take into account particular situations, a properly calibrated reduction coefficient θ can be introduced, so that Q c,max * = θ•Q c,max . For example, in the case of rain, and therefore with a wet pavement surface, we can consider θ = 0.8 [57] with α * = α/θ.…”