Lecture 28

Mulungushi University

School of Science, Engineering and Technology

Department of Engineering

TRAFFIC INTERSECTIONS

Prof P.K Bhuyan

Department of Civil Engineering
Nit Rourkela
 Introduction

Intersection is an area shared by two or more roads.

Its main function is to guide vehicles to their respective directions.
They are complex locations on any highway

Pedestrians also seek same place for crossing

Overall traffic flow depends on the performance of intersections
It effects the capacity of the road
Therefore, both from the accident perspective and the capacity
perspective, the study of intersections very important for the
traffic engineers especially in the case of urban scenario.
 Conflicts at an intersection
• They are different for different type of intersection.
• For example, at a four-legged intersection,

Type of conflict No. of conflicts

Competing through movements 4
Right turn and movements 8
Right turn traffics 4
Left turn and merging traffics 4
Pedestrians 8
Diverging traffic 4
Total 32
 Contd..

• The essence of the intersection control is to resolve these conflicts at

the intersection for the safe and efficient movement of both vehicular
traffic and pedestrians

 Time sharing
 Space sharing

.The type of intersection control that has to be adopted depends on

 Traffic volume
 Road geometry
 Cost involved
 Importance of the road
 Levels of intersection control

The control of an intersection can be exercised at different levels.

o Passive control : No explicit control on driver

o Semi control : Some amount of control on

driver

o Active control : Fully controlled by traffic

agency
 Passive control
• No control:

 Through movements will have more priority than turning movements.

 The driver is expected to obey basic traffic rules

• Traffic signs:
 It is able to provide some level of control traffic with the help of warning
signs, guide signs etc.

 The GIVE WAY requires driver in minor way to give way

 Two way stop control requires the drivers on minor streets should see that
conflicts are avoided

 The STOP sign is placed to stop the vehicles at intersections.

• Traffic sign plus marking:

 Road markings also complement on control of traffic.

 Examples include stop line markings, yield lines, arrow markings etc.
 Passive control
• No control:

 Through movements will have more priority than turning movements.

 The driver is expected to obey basic traffic rules

• Traffic signs:
 It is able to provide some level of control traffic with the help of warning
signs, guide signs etc.

 The GIVE WAY requires driver in minor way to give way

 Two way stop control requires the drivers on minor streets should see that
conflicts are avoided

 The STOP sign is placed to stop the vehicles at intersections.

• Traffic sign plus marking:

 Road markings also complement on control of traffic.

 Examples include stop line markings, yield lines, arrow markings etc.
 Semi control
• Channelization :

 The traffic is separated to flow through definite paths by raising a portion

of the road in the middle called as islands.

 The conflicts are reduced to great extend.

 The physical barrier is made possible with the help of some barriers in
road like traffic islands, road markings etc.

Channelization
 Semi control contd..
• Traffic rotaries (roundabout):

 The traffic is made to flow in one direction around a traffic island.

 All the severe conflicts are converted to mild conflicts.
 It is a form of at-grade intersection such that no through conflicts are there
 Merging, weaving and diverging operations reduce the conflicting
movements at the rotary

Traffic rotaries
 Active control
• Traffic signals :

 Control using traffic signal is based on time sharing approach.

 If more than two phases are provided it is called multiphase signal
 Fixed time signals and vehicle actuated signals are the most common modes .
 In fixed time signals, cycle time, phases and interval of each signal is fixed
 Vehicle actuated signals respond to dynamic traffic situations

Traffic signals
 Active control contd..
• Grade separated intersections:

 They are of two types: at-grade intersections and grade separated intersections.
 In at-grade intersections all roads meet at a same vertical level.
 Grade-separated intersections allows the traffic to cross at different vertical levels
 These increase road capacity as vehicles will flow with high speed and accident
potential also reduced due to vertical separation

Grade separated intersections

 Grade separated intersections

They are provided to separate the traffic in vertical direction.

 Flyovers
o overpass and
o underpass

 Interchange
o Trumpet interchange
o Diamond interchange
o Clover leaf interchange
 Flyovers
 Overpass
When two roads cross at a point, if the road having major traffic is
elevated to a higher grade for further movement of traffic, they are
called overpass

 Underpass

If the major road is depressed to a lower level to cross another

by means of an under bridge or tunnel, it is called under-pass

Overpass Underpass
 Interchange

 Trumpet interchange

It is a popular form of three leg interchange. If one of the legs

of the interchange meets a highway at some angle but does not cross it,
then the interchange is called trumpet interchange.

 Diamond interchange

It is a popular form of four-leg interchange found in the urban

locations where major and minor roads crosses. The important feature is that
it can be designed even if the major road is relatively narrow.

Trumpet interchange Diamond interchange

 Interchange contd..

 Clover leaf interchange

It is also a four leg interchange used when two highways of high
volume and speed intersect each other with considerable turning movements. The
main advantage is that it provides complete separation of traffic with achievement
of high speeds at intersections. However, the disadvantage is that large area of land
is required. Therefore, cloverleaf interchanges are provided mainly in rural areas

Clover leaf interchange

 Channelized intersections

 Vehicles approaching an intersection are directed to definite paths by

islands, marking etc.
 They provides more safety and efficiency.
 It reduces the number of possible conflicts by reducing the area of
conflicts available in the carriageway.
 The presence of traffic islands, markings etc. forces the driver to
reduce the speed and becomes more cautious while maneuvering the
intersection
 A channelizing island also serves as a refuge for pedestrians and makes
pedestrian crossing safer.

Channelization of traffic through Channelization of traffic through

three-legged intersection four-legged intersection