Academic Session: 2020-21 Trimester 1

END-OF-TRIMESTER TEST
MODULE CODE: CTR11131/CTR11531/CTR11731
MODULE TITLE: TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DESIGN
EXAMINER’S NAME: GRIGORIOS FOUNTAS
TEST DURATION: You have 24 hours to complete and submit your answer file.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)

You must answer ALL questions. An indicative word count of approximately 600
words per question is in place (excluding diagrams, formulae or calculations).
Note that this includes all parts of each question.
TEST PAPER INFORMATION

Total number of pages (including coversheet): 14

Number of Questions: 4
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Answers comprising diagrams, formulae or calculations may be easier to hand-write
and/or sketch. Do this on blank sheets of paper. Scan or photograph your answer
sheets and then insert them into a single (MSWord or PDF) file.
In your answer script you must ensure that all questions and pages are clearly
numbered and that you include the module code and your student
matriculation number.
Your single answer file should then be uploaded to Moodle, through the Turnitin link,
prior to the end of the test time. Instructions on how to do this can be found on
Moodle (Assessment section). Please ensure you do this in sufficient time and prior
to the stated deadline, to avoid any technical issues. You should also retain a hard
and soft copy of your answer script in case of queries. Please be aware that answer
scripts may be subject to plagiarism checks.
SPECIAL ITEMS: Highway Geometric Design Formulae Sheet, Kimber/DOT
Regression Model for Roundabout Capacity, Traffic Signals Design Information,
Q3(b) Signal Timings Worksheet

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Q1 (a) What is the purpose of the design speed? Which are the criteria that
determine the selection of the design speed for an urban road and a rural
road?
(6)

(b) The following picture shows a short roadway segment. List the geometric
design elements you can clearly see in the picture. Can you spot any
design problems? What would you improve in the current alignment and
why?

(8)

(c) The following design characteristics are provided for a simple horizontal
curve of a carriageway located in a highly urbanised area with a dense road
network.

 Deflection angle = 29.25 degrees

 Maximum superelevation = 6 percent
 Design speed = 80 km/h
 Coefficient of friction = 0.12

(i) Compute an appropriate radius for this curve as well as the other
essential geometric characteristics of the horizontal curve (tangent
length; curve length).
(5 marks)

(ii) A reviewer from the Department for Transport disagrees with the use of
6% superelevation and suggests the use of the desirable maximum

-2-
 superelevation, as dictated by the overall built environment
characteristics. In this case, how would the radius change?
(3 marks)

(iii) Due to the comments of the reviewer, Dr Calculus was appointed to

consult in making smoother the transition from the straight segment to
the curve. To that end, she suggests that the incorporation of a transition
curve with 55 m length will provide sufficient safety and comfort to the
drivers. Do you agree with the suggestion of Dr Calculus? Clearly state
your assumptions and provide all intermediate steps and calculations.
For your calculations, use the radius that you computed in sub-question
(i).
(3 marks)

(Total Marks 25)

-3-
Q2 (a) Discuss the determinants of the critical headway according to the Highway
Capacity Manual (2010) Gap Acceptance Method for priority junctions.
Contrast these against the relevant considerations of the Kimber/DOT
regression model.
(5)

(b) Highways are designed for human drivers. Connected and automated
vehicles are likely to change this. For a transportation network system
consisting of only driverless vehicles, briefly discuss how you think the
highways of the future will be designed. Specifically, comment on possible
modifications with respect to the following design aspects: design speed;
sight distance, horizontal and vertical alignment; cross section elements;
junction design.
(8)

(c) The following Figure shows an existing roundabout, symmetrical in design.

All approaches have the same geometric parameters as indicated below.
Using the Kimber/DoT regression approach to estimating capacity and the
information given below, calculate and assess the capacity under peak hour
conditions.

Approach Half Width (v) 4m Flare Length (l’) 25m

Entry Width (e) 7m Diameter 45m
Entry Angle 40 Entry Radius 30m

-4-
 TO
N E S W
N - 105 440 155
FROM E 275 - 180 420
S 430 275 - 215
W 335 390 195 -
Table Q 2(c) Peak Hour Flows (PCU's per hour)

(12)

(Total marks 25)

-5-
Q3 (a) Compare and contrast the three different types of smart motorway in the
UK at present, outlining the key differences between them, with
particular reference to safety. Provide relevant examples to better
illustrate key differences.
(8)

(b) Using the information given below and Q3(b) Signal Timings Worksheet
suggest suitable signal settings to minimize delay during the PM peak.

(17)

E
D
A

B C F

STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3 STAGE 4

Intergreens 5 seconds, Start /Stop Delays 1.5 seconds

Geometric Layout Stage Sequence

PM Peak Hour
Flows Saturation Flows
STREAM pcu/h pcu/h
A 380 2200
B 270 2300
C 250 1780
D 230 1950
E 500 2000
F 350 1925

Table Q3(b) PM Peak Hour Flows and Saturation Flows (pcu/h)

If you use Q3(b) Signal Timings Worksheet please insert this into your answer
script (with all the information you filled in), marked clearly with your
matriculation number.

(Total marks 25)

-6-
Q4 (a) A driver is travelling at 70 km/h on a non-major road whose pavement
surface is very wet. Assuming that the driver needs 2.5 seconds in order
to apply the brake, what is the minimum distance required for the driver
to come to a complete stop without losing vehicle control if an obstruction
enters into the field of vision? For possible data elements that are not
provided, clearly state and justify your assumptions.
(5)

(b) Comment on the advantages of using a SCOOT based linking system

over a fixed time based system. Provide appropriate examples to
support your answers.
(5)

(c) Two signalised intersections, A and B, are linked and operate with a
common cycle time of 70 seconds. The average speed of vehicles
travelling from Junction A to Junction B is 10m/s.

Using the information given below estimate the total hourly delay on the
West approach to Junction B based on calculations using 10 second
increments of time.

(15)

A B

250m

Figure Q5 (c)

Saturation Flow for West Approach at B is 3600 pcu/h

Green Display on for West Approach to B is 40 seconds
Offset of Green at B relative to A is 20 seconds

-7-
 Time Signal Flow over Time Signal Flow over
(secs) Display Stopline at (secs) Display Stopline at
A (pcu/h) A (pcu/h)
0.0 -9.9 Green 9 40.0-49.9 Green 4
10.0-19.9 Green 9 50.0-59.9 Red 0
20.0-29.9 Green 9 60.0-69.9 Red 0
30.0-39.9 Green 4

Table Q4 (c) Cyclic Flow Profile on West Approach to Junction A

(Total marks 25)

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HIGHWAY GEOMETRIC DESIGN FORMULA SHEET

CIRCULAR CURVES

 
Tangent Length (T) = R(tan  
2
 
Length of Circular Arc = 2R 
 360 

c
Deflection Angle = 1718.9  minutes
R

TRANSITION CURVES
v3
Length of transition (L) =
qR

SIGHT DISTANCES

v2
Safe Stopping Distance (SSD) = vt 
2 fg

 v 
 v
Overtaking Sight Distance = 
1.19 10  (v)(10)  (v)(10)
2

 2  5
 
 

SUPERELEVATION

v2
 f  tan  (where g = 9.81m/sec 2) or
gR
V2
 f  tan 
127 R

Be careful with Units in the above equations!

-9-
 Kimber/DOT Regression Model for Roundabout Capacity

Qe = k (F- fc Qc) pcu/h

Where :

Qe = maximum entry flow (pcu/h)

Qc = circulating flow across entry (pcu/hr)
k = 1 - 0.00347 (ø -30) - 0.978 [(1/r) - 0.05]
F= 303x2
x2 = v + [(e-v) /(1+2S) ]
fc = 0.21 tp (1+0.2x2)
tp = 1 + [0.5/(1+M)]
M= exp [(D-60) /10]
S= 1.6 [(e-v)/ l']

Entry width = e
Approach half width = v
Effective Flare Length = l’
Entry Radius = r
Entry Angle = ø
Inscribed Circle Diameter = D

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 TRAFFIC SIGNALS DESIGN INFORMATION

PASSENGER CAR UNITS

Vehicle Class TRRL RR67

(Current Method)
Passenger Car Units
(pcu equivalents)

Car/light Van 1.00

Medium Goods 1.50
Heavy Goods 2.30
Bus/Coach 2.00
Motorcycle 0.40
Pedal Cycle 0.20

SATURATION FLOWS

Unopposed Single Lane Multi-lane Stoplines

So  2080  42 g G  100(W  3.25) Sm   S1

S1 
S0  140 n 
 1.5 f 
1  
 r 

STREAM LOST TIME

Stream Lost Time = Intergreen – 3 + Start/Stop Delays

CYCLE TIMES
1.5( L)  5 L 0.9( L)
Co  Cmin  C pract 
1Y 1Y (0.9  Y )

EFFECTIVE GREEN
y
g  (C  L)
Y

DISPLAY GREEN

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Display Green = Effective Green – Intergreen + Stream Lost Time

RESERVE CAPACITY

Ymax 
Cd  L
Ypract 
0.9(Cd  L) Y pract  Y (100)
Reserve Capacity = percent
Cd Cd Ypract

OPPOSED RIGHT TURNS

x=
 sg  qc seconds
 s  q

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LINKING

yside (C )
Effective Green (side road) g side 
0.9

L L
t t'  (nh  l )
V V

TRANSYT

1
q' (i  t )  Fqi  (1  F )q'(i  t 1) f 
(1  (0.5)t )

mi  t  mi  t 1  qi  t  si  t or 0 (whichever is biggest)

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 Q3b SIGNAL TIMINGS WORKSHEET

Matric No: _________________

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii)

Stream Start Terminating Intergreen Min Arrival Saturation Stream
Stage Stage Time Display Flow Flow Lost Time
Green I-3+l’

I km q s = l’’

(ix) (x) (xi) (xii) (xiii) (xiv) (xv) (xvi)

Stream Check for c =

y=q/s 100y+ l’’ t m=k m+ I t yc+ l’’ t' g

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