MBEYA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE

AND TECHNOLOGY
PROJECT TITLE: ASSESSMENT OF VEHICLE INTERACTION CHARACTERISTICS AT
ILOMBA INTERSECTION

DEPARTMENT: CIVIL ENGINEERING

REG NUMBER: 19100334030020

NAME: MAGAFU Z MULUGARE

 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Vehicle interaction characteristics refers the characteristics vehicles tends to interact to each other
at the same time, that is the situation where the behavior of at least two or more vehicles can be
interpreted being influenced by the possibility that both intending to occupy the same region of
space at the same time.
For mixed flow especially at intersection areas in highway, there is a need to develop better traffic
control devices in such way that mixed traffic flow characteristics such as lane choice, lateral
position distribution, spacing distribution, gap acceptance and flow of time potential capacity of
the intersection movement capacity to ensure good vehicle interaction to avoid occurrence of
accidents. Distance between leading and following vehicle also should be very safely in order to
avoid the risk of collision of vehicles (Qu, Zhao, Hu, Wang & Song,2022). In developing country,
many cities characterized by mixed flow traffic mostly are not controlled well especially at
Therefore due to poor vehicle interaction influenced by vehicle interaction characteristics may
results to the occurrence of accidents ,Congestion and disturbance for the other vehicles. Also
poor vehicle interaction along highway also is due to different driver characteristics during traffic
stream along the intersection ( Madhu.k.et al 2020). Under mixed traffic conditions most of
vehicles do not usually maintain the space gap between themselves results to unsafe vehicle
interaction.

Ilomba intersection it located along TANZAM highway at Mbeya city it serves the different
types of vehicles with different dimensions and characteristics which affect the interaction of
each vehicle, sometime the intersection it’s overloaded with movements of vehicles and lead to
unsafe interaction of vehicles due to absence of traffic control at intersection. Ilomba intersection
it serves the following routes; Mwanjelwa to Uyole, Mwanjelwa to Veta, Mwambene to Veta and
Mwambene to Uyole.
 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Ilomba intersection is located along TANZAM highway faced with frequency accidents,
congestion and jams. The problem considered to be caused by poor vehicle interaction influenced
by lack of education to road users, the capacity of intersection also the absence of traffic control
mode, so these may lead road accidents occurrence, traffic congestion, delays and jams at
intersection as a result of loss of life, and vehicle damage caused by vehicles crushes occurs due
critical gap between vehicles is small. Therefore, this study aims to perform assessment in
vehicles interaction characteristics at ilomba intersection which results into traffic accidents,
injuries and death to road users.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
Main objective
The main objectives of this study are to perform the assessment of vehicle interaction
characteristics at ilomba intersection.
Specific objectives
i. To carry out traffic studies
ii. To determine critical gap at intersection
iii. To determine capacity of the intersection
iv. To determine and analyze the amount and, the effects of interaction potentials at intersection
Scope of the study
The study will deal on the assessment of vehicles interaction characteristics at
ilomba intersection along TANZAM highway on Mbeya city. Also, through the
study will able to conduct volume studies and analysis of accidents at intersection
Signifance of the study
The proposed project will help to maintain safety at intersection through
maintaining and providing safe and best way of vehicle interaction characteristics
and appropriate gap acceptance at intersection to avoid conflict that is collision or
crushes of vehicles at intersection
 LITERATURE REVIEW

Vehicle interaction characteristics

Vehicle interaction is the situation where the behavior of at least two or more vehicles can be
interpreted as influenced by the possibility that both intending to occupy the same region of space
at the same time(Qu, Zhao, Hu, Wang & Song,2022). Therefore, vehicle interaction
characteristics can be defined is the way vehicle tends interact to each other for purpose to reach
or pass the same region of space at the same time. Vehicle interaction in highway mostly is
influenced with mixed traffic which consists motorized vehicles (personal cars, buses, trucks and
motorcycles) and non-motorized vehicles (bicycles and human) which have different
characteristics depends on the way their operates in the road. Thagesen, B.(1996).
 LITERATURE REVIEW CONT……..
Traffic stream parameters
The traffic stream refer to the characteristics of traffic flow, it includes a combination of driver
and vehicle behavior. The driver or human Behavior being non-uniform, traffic stream is also
non-uniform in nature. It is not influenced not only by the individual characteristics of both
vehicle and human but also the way a group of such units interacts with each other. Thus, the flow
of traffic through a street of defined characteristics will vary by both location and time
corresponding to the changes in human behavior, Xi Liang Wang(2020).
The traffic stream parameters can be macroscopic which characterizes the traffic as whole or
microscopic which studies the individual vehicle in the stream with respect to each other.
Macroscopic approach Microscopic approach

volume Headway

Average speed Individual speed

Density Spacing

Lateral choice

Lateral position within a lane

Gap

Clearance

Table 1: show traffic characteristic

 LITERATURE REVIEW CONT……..

Critical gap and follow-up time at intersection

According on the basis of the Highway capacity manual (HCM), the critical gap is defined as the
minimum time interval in the major-street traffic stream that allows intersection entry for one
minor- street vehicle. Thus, the driver’s critical gap is the minimum gap that would be acceptable.
A particular driver would reject any gaps less than the critical gap and would accept gaps greater
than or equal to the critical gap (HCM, 2000). The value used for the critical gap will affect the
design of an intersection.

The Follow-up time defined departure of the next vehicle using the same major-street gap, under
a condition of continuous queuing on the minor street, is called the follow-up time.
 LITERATURE REVIEW CONT……..
Capacity at the intersections

Capacity of an intersection is the maximum sustainable flow rate at which vehicles or persons
reasonably can be expected to traverse a point or uniform segment of a lane or roadway during a
specified time period under given roadway, geometric, traffic, environmental, and control
conditions; usually expressed as vehicles per hour, passenger per hour, or persons per hour. (HCM
2000).
Volume represents an actual rate of flow and responds to variations of traffic demand, while the
capacity indicates the capability or maximum rate of flow with a certain level of service
characteristics that can be carried by a roadway.
 LITERATURE REVIEW CONT……..
Vehicle Interaction Potentials

Vehicle interaction potentials deals with the car following interaction behavior of the follower car
that is constantly seeking to maintain the required safety distance from leading vehicle.
Maintaining the safety distance between the vehicles will help safe driving and efficiency. If the
distance of the front and rear car vehicle is less than the required safely distance, the following
vehicle is worried about the risk of collision and slow down to stay away from leading vehicle
(Qu, Zhao, Hu, Wang & Song, 2022).

Vehicle Interaction Potentials Function

This function is developed for seeking the safely distance between two flowing vehicle at which
the driver of the following car can immediately brake the vehicle to avoid collision because of
certain emergencies of the current vehicle.
 LITERATURE REVIEW CONT……..
If the speed of the leading vehicles is greater than of the following vehicle, then the following
distance will continue to extend over time and can ensure safe driving distance.
 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION
The data are collected through the following methods
Site Visiting
Through site visiting was enabling to identify the road user’s behavior that is driver behaviors and
pedestrian behaviors during cross the intersection. The data that was collected during site visiting
was help to identify and analyze amount of interaction potential at intersection.
Traffic Survey
During traffic survey the following was conducted;
 Traffic Counting
 Traffic Speed Studies
 Critical Gap Data collection
 Critical headway and follow-up time data collection
 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION CONT…….
DATA COLLECTED
Primary Data ;This involves data collected at the study area, The primary data that was collected
are the following;
 Traffic volume data
 The critical gap data
 Traffic accident data
 Spot speed data
 Critical headway and follow-up time data
 Road user behavior data

.
DATA COLLECTED CONT…..
Secondary Data
This involves the data collected by using existed data from published research reports and
national traffic reports. The secondary data that where obtained are statistics of accident data in
studying section from regional traffic officer –Mbeya.
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Analysis of traffic volume data at ilomba intersection

 TRAFFIC FLOW CHART
1400
1243 1251

1200 1155 1132

1114 1122

1010
1000
FLOW RATE

800

600

400

200

0
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
DAYS
Analysis of spot speed data
Summary of speed data obtained at ilomba intersection, Uyole approach section. (distance 0.1
Km, 1hr duration).

Speed interval (Km/hr.) Mean speed (km/hr.) Frequency Cum. frequency % cum.frefuency

5-10 7.5 0 0 0

10-15 12.5 10 10 10

15-20 17.5 38 48 46

20-25 22.5 30 78 75

25-30 27.5 13 91 88

30-35 32.5 7 98 94

35-40 37.5 4 102 98

40-45 42.5 2 104 100

Analysis of spot speed data cont……
Analysis of speed at Mwanjelwa approach ( distance 0.1km, 1hr duration).
Speed interval (km/hr.) Mean speed( km/hr.) Frequency Cum. frequency % cum. frequency

10-15 12.5 22 22 18

15-20 17.5 42 64 52

20-25 22.5 30 94 76

25-30 27.5 15 109 88

30-35 32.5 9 118 95

35-40 37.5 5 123 99

40-45 42.5 1 124 100

Analysis of spot speed data cont……
Analysis of speed at Mgwasi approach ( distance 0.1km, 1hr duration).
Speed interval (km/hr.) Mean speed ( km/hr.) Frequency Cum. Frequency % cum. frequency

10-15 12.5 10 10 10

15-20 17.5 27 27 37

20-25 22.5 39 39 76

25-30 27.5 22 22 98

30-35 32.5 13 13 111

35-40 37.5 8 8 119

40-45 42.5 5 5 124

Analysis of spot speed data cont……
Analysis of speed at Veta approach ( distance 0.1km, 1hr duration).
Speed interval (km/hr.) Speed interval (km/hr.) Frequency Cum. Frequency % cum .frequency

5-10 7.5 2 2 2

10-15 12.5 21 23 21

15-20 17.5 38 61 55

20-25 22.5 24 85 77

25-30 27.5 13 98 89

30-35 32.5 9 107 97

35-40 37.5 3 110 100

Below are the summary of the results of 50 th and 85th percentile obtained after drawing the graphs
At Uyole approach
50th percentile = 18 km/hr.
85th percentile =26 km/hr.
At Mwanjelwa approach
50th percentile = 17.1 km/hr.
85th percentile =26 km/hr.
At Mgwasi approach
50th percentile = 21 km/hr.
85th percentile = 30 km/hr.
At Veta approach
50th percentile = 16.5 km/hr.
85th percentile = 26.1 km/hr.
ANALYSIS OF ACCIDENT DATA
The tables below show accident recorded at ilomba intersection at different year and vehicles
involved in accidents
Year No. Of year Bajaj Bodaboda Cars Non-
accidents motorized
recorded vehicles

2017 23 2017 14 7 10 3
2018 21
2018 16 8 12 4
2019 20
2020 19
2019 19 9 13 2
2021 22
2022 20 2020 15 8 9 5
Total 125
2021 13 6 11 4
Source; RTO- Mbeya Region
2022 14 9 10 3

Total 91 47 65 21
ROAD USERS BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS
PEDESTRIAN BEHAVIOR
Pedestrian behavior DO DO NOT % DO % DO NOT

To stand along the road 102 35 74 26

with the intension to
cross the road

To cross the road on the 46 112 29 71

right place

To walk on the right 143 56 72 28

side of the road
ROAD USERS BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS CONT……
DRIVERS BEHAVIORS
Drivers behavior DO DO NOT % DO % DO NOT

Vehicles slow down 165 45 76 24

motion when
approaching
intersection

Vehicles maintain lane 145 72 67 33

discipline
Vehicles in major 98 172 36 64
stream to stop when
approaching
intersection

Vehicles which drop and 184 18 91 9

pick passengers in right
place
Analysis of critical gap and critical headway
Table below show the accepted and rejected gap
S/NO Accepted Rejected Table below show the critical headway
gap ( S) gap ( S)
S/NO Mwanjelwa Uyole Veta Mgwasi
1 2.34 5.86
2 2.25 7.84 1 4.61 4.84 6.21 5.45
3 1.86 5.35 2 3.84 4.41 5.46 4.56
4 1.65 3.87
3 3.63 4.87 5.12 3.93
5 2.41 5.62
6 4.10 5.22 4 3.52 3.62 4.61 3.68
7 3.23 7.76
5 3.45 3.56 4.43 3.54
8 5.65 11.30
9 6.56 5.47 6 3.38 3.44 4.21 3.43
10 2.78 3.68 7 3.31 3.38 4.11 3.32
11 2.15 6.35
8 3.21 3.31 3.95 3.28
12 3.26 8.14
13 6.78 8.76 9 3.14 3.21 3.76 3.23
14 2.10 8.25 10 3.10 3.14 3.65 3.15
15 4.21 9.45
Calculation of critical gap at intersection and capacity of the intersection.
Critical gap, tc

From, tc= to + 0.5 tf ( Siegloch’formula )

Where tc is critical gap to is minimum accepted gap tf is follow-up headway

tc = 3.68 + 0.5 x 3.25

tc = 5.30 seconds

Critical gap at intersection, tc = 5.30 seconds

Capacity of the intersection, Cp

From, (Ramesh Surisetty, S.Siva Gowri Prasad, 2014)

Calculation of intersection capacity cont…….
Where, λ= qM/3600 (veh/s)
tp=minimum headway in the major traffic stream
tc= critical gap
qM= number of major stream headway
tf = follow-up gap respectively

λ = 2.8 x 10-3 ( s/veh)

tp = 3.1 s, qM = 10

tc = 5.30 s

tf = 3.25 s

CP = 683 veh/ hr.

Capacity of the intersection is 683 veh/ hr.

Analysis of Vehicle interaction potential data

Approach Mean speed Mean time ( s) Mean acceleration Mean safe space Flow rate
( km/hr.) (m/s2) ( m) ( veh/hr.)
Uyole 5.0 1.6 3.125 7.0 2910

Mwanjelwa 4.75 1.5 3.17 6.0 3123

Veta 4.58 2.7 1.70 9.0 1578

Mgwasi 5.83 2.9 2.01 11.4 432

From safe space between vehicles; S (Qu, Zhao, Hu, Wang,&Song, 2022)

Where S- Required safety distance β- Braking trigger time of the vehicle ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 s
V- Speed of the following vehicle dfm- braking acceleration of the following vehicle
 DISCUSSION OF THE RESULTS

Discussion of the traffic volume data

The results from traffic volume data, show that the number of vehicles per day is very high at
intersection especially at Mwanjelwa and Uyole approach of the intersection because it operates
in TANZAM highway which have many vehicles and these make problem of vehicle interaction
from Veta approach and Mgwasi approach. This lead the efficiency of vehicle operation to
decrease especially in term of speed that cause to the occurrence of congestion especially at peak
hours and hence lead other vehicles to diverge from it’s proper lane so as to save time
Discussion of accident data
From accident data results, show that most accident that occurs at intersection are caused by
reckless drivers which does not follow traffic rules such excessive speed and improper overtaking
also from accident data it show that Bajaj and Cars are most vulnerable group which lead
Discussion of accident data cont……
accidents. Also according to the results and information from the field, the accidents that occurs at
intersection is caused by vehicle interaction with pedestrian who cross the road very randomly
Discussion of the road user behavior
Pedestrian behavior
From the results obtained due to pedestrian behavior it show that most pedestrian have lack
education of using roadway. The results show that many of them cross the roadway randomly
without considering their safety.
Drivers behavior
The results show that , the number of drivers who obey traffic rules is higher comparing of those
who do not obey, but this does not indicate that driver’s behavior does not influence poor vehicle
interaction. This is because some drivers who do not obey road rules are the one cause poor
Drivers behavior cont…..
vehicles interaction at intersection such as dropping and picking the passenger in wrong place
also poor overtaking at intersection.
Discussion of the intersection capacity
From the results it show, the capacity of intersection is 683 veh/hr where as the demand of the
intersection is almost 1200 veh/hr., so this it show that the capacity of intersection is very small
compared with the demand so this lead the occurrence of congestion, jams and delay at the
intersection, this is the reason behind of poor lane discipline that occur at the intersection area
such as improper overtaking.
Discussion on vehicle interaction potential data

From the results, it show that the safe stopping distance between the vehicles depends on the
various factors such as the vehicle speed, traffic volume and mean time of travelling vehicles. It
observed that when the traffic volume is high also safe stopping distance also decreases between
vehicles also it observed that when the vehicle speed is high also safe stopping distance decreases.
 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

CONCLUSION
From the study it show that vehicle interaction characteristics at intersection are more affected
with the condition of the intersection which is small to accommodate the demand the capacity so
these lead poor interaction at the intersection.
Also it observed that some road user behaviors affect the performance of vehicle interaction at the
intersection such as some pedestrians cross the intersection randomly without observing the zebra
crossing so this affect the speed of vehicles, also drivers tend to overtake improper at the
intersection and others drivers do not follow road’s rules
RECOMMENDATION

Regarding to the recent conclusion the intersection should be increased it is capacity by widening
the width of the road at intersection also intersection should be improved to the stage of
signalization.

By performing the above measures the following will be attained;

i. Proper and orderly vehicle interaction at intersection

ii. Accidents at the intersection will be reduced

iii.Congestion and jams will be minimized

iv. Traffic will flow continuously

v. Traffic police will no longer be needed to control the movement of traffic

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