Risk Distribution Characteristics and Optimization of Short Weaving Area for Complex Municipal Interchanges

Abstract

This paper is focused on analyzing the risk distribution characteristics in short weaving areas of urban interchanges. The study was carried out on merge-diverge weaving areas with different lengths of 350 m, 450 m, and 550 m. To evaluate and identify the risk, the average speed, speed standard deviation, acceleration range, and average absolute value of acceleration were selected as indicators. Vissim simulation was applied to collect the identification indicator value of 21 typical lane sections. The results show that the risk is concentrated at the 3/4 section and exit section of the outer lane. The vehicle-operating status of the inner and middle lanes is almost unaffected. The operating speed of the outer lane is approximately 4/5 of the same position in the inner lane at 3/4 of the length of the weaving segment, while the speed standard deviation is approximately 2 times greater, and the acceleration range is approximately 2–3 times greater. Moreover, the acceleration of the average absolute value is also approximately 2–3 times greater. To balance the risk distribution, an optimization method is proposed based on the result analysis. Compared with the original design, the results show that a reasonable method of traffic organization for the complex weaving area can effectively improve the risk distribution in the weaving area and reduce the high peak of risk concentration. These results provide a basis for the optimization method and traffic organization of short weaving areas of municipal interchanges.

Research on Efficient Operation for Compound Interchange in China from an Auxiliary Lanes Configuration Aspect

“…The traffic conditions in the high-risk sections were optimized by shifting the traffic risk to areas with better operating conditions. This was achieved by implementing a policy that permitted only vehicles on the outer and auxiliary lanes to change lanes inward near the exits [21,42]. Wang developed a regression model to explore the accident characteristics of small-spacing interchanges based on the number of accidents counted [43].…”

“…This lane-changing process can have a significant impact on some aspects, including the distribution of vehicles, operating speed, and headway. When vehicles are affected by lane-changing behaviors, they become more vulnerable to traffic accidents [20,21]. Different weaving distances significantly impact accident rates, with short weaving areas having become accident-prone zones [21].…”

“…When vehicles are affected by lane-changing behaviors, they become more vulnerable to traffic accidents [20,21]. Different weaving distances significantly impact accident rates, with short weaving areas having become accident-prone zones [21]. Increasing weaving distances can improve the driving environment when drivers change lanes continuously, thus reducing the frequency of collisions [2].…”

Analysis of Traffic Operation Characteristics and Calculation Model of the Length of the Connecting Section between Ramp and Intersection

“…Wang [21] employed a microscopic traffic software of Vissim to construct a simulation model of weaving areas and evaluate the impact of road and traffic design parameters in the short weaving on traffic efficiency and risks, the weaving length is identified as the most important factor affecting traffic efficiency and risks in the short weaving area. Liao [22] studied the location of internal risk in the weaving areas of complex municipal interchanges under different weaving lengths. Vissim simulation was applied to collect the identification indicator value of 21 typical lane sections.…”