Effect of traffic entries and exits at the major road on its performance

Abstract

The transportation infrastructure is one of the crucial factors that affects economic growth and social development in the world. Roadside friction can be defined as the activities taking place by the sides of the road that restricts a smooth traffic flow on the road. Roadside frictions are increasing proportionally to the increase in population and urbanization. Roadside friction directly contributes to traffic congestion and road accidents. Entries to- and exits from- major roads can be identified as one of the major types of roadside friction in developing countries like Sri Lanka. As the approach methodology of the study, videography techniques were carried out to collect traffic data. The analysis was conducted using PTV VISSIM microsimulation software to determine the increment of the travel time due to roadside friction of traffic entries and exits from the major roads. Travel time comparisons were made with the presence and absence of roadside friction. The results indicated that travel time increments for the combined friction of entries and exits from the major road and on-street parking conditions vary from 25 to 90% when compared to the frictionless condition depending on traffic flow.