Improvement of traffic performance at intersections in Karbala city

Abstract

This study deals with the evaluation of traffic performance at the road network around the old city of Karbala from the southern side, at Al-Tarbia Street and Fatima Al-Zahraa Street, through the evaluation of intersections performance. This is followed by suggestions of some improvement proposals, which vary from changing timing plan, geometric improvement, to change intersection type completely. The study area composed of seven intersections, three intersections are four legs signalized, and the other four are roundabouts. The video recording technique is used to collect the traffic data for 27 approaches. These data are abstracted from video films using EVENT program, and processed by prepared EXCEL sheets. While, the spot speed data for each entire link in the network are collected using pavement marking method. SYNCHRO software was used for evaluation and analysis of signalized intersections, suggestion of best timing plan, and coordination. SIDRA INTERSECTION software was used for evaluation and analysis of both signalized intersections and roundabouts. The best proposal was also evaluated for the target year.