Modelling the Entry Capacity Reduction Factor and Pedestrian Movement Analysis at Roundabouts: A Case Study of Tier-II Cities in India

Abstract

The present study is aimed at developing an entry capacity reduction factor model for roundabouts in developing countries. The study covers four Tier-II cities in India, namely, Ranchi, Rourkela, Bhubaneswar, and Nagpur. The explanatory variables are: the circulating vehicular traffic flow, pedestrian flow, and the diameter of the central island. A multiple non-linear regression (MNLR) analysis was utilised; it has an R2 of 0.946 and 0.961 for the development and validation of the model. With an increase in influencing variable levels such as circulating vehicular traffic flow by [(50, 100, and 150) PCU/hr], pedestrian flow by [(50, 100, and 150) Ped/hr], and the diameter of central island by [10,20,30) m]; the Capacity Reduction Factor rises by (15%, 30% & 35%), (10%, 15% & 20%) and (25%, 35% & 45%) respectively. Further, the Equilibrium Probability Method (EPM) has been employed to analyse pedestrian movement patterns at roundabouts while they are crossing the streets. ‘Children’ and ‘Seniors’ cross the street almost at the same speed, but more slowly than ‘Young People’. The study could be helpful for the operational evaluation of roundabouts by incorporating pedestrian behaviour.

Keywords

• roundabout
• capacity reduction factor
• circulating vehicular traffic flow
• pedestrian flow
• mnlr analysis
• epm approach