Study of unique merging behavior under mixed traffic conditions

Roads in developing countries carry mixed traffic with wide variations in static and dynamic characteristics of vehicles. The traffic flow is also generally devoid of lane discipline, with vehicles occupying any available road space ahead. In such a regime of traffic flow, the phenomena of merging of vehicles at intersections of two roads is complex, warranting further study. The merging maneuvers at T-intersections under congested traffic conditions were studied microscopically through video-recording. In congested situations, the merging vehicle attempts a complex merging maneuver to enter the main traffic stream. Two unique merging processes are commonly observed in mixed traffic: group and vehicle cover merging (these are generally not observed in countries such as US). The author is using these words first time in this study. These reflect the different types of driver behavior – merging in groups, and by taking cover of another vehicle. Probabilistic models for group and vehicle cover merging are developed that capture this unique merging behavior. Comprehensive microscopic data collection and extraction were carried out to study the merging process at T-intersection under congested conditions. Merging models were then estimated using maximum likelihood method with disaggregate data that was collected for a case study T-intersection in Chennai city, India. Such models can find applications in simulation of highly congested traffic flow in a realistic manner under mixed traffic conditions. They can also give insights on devising better traffic control measures at such intersections.     

Model of guidance for visually impaired persons in the traffic network

The movement of the blind and visually impaired persons in the traffic network is today based exclusively on the application of aids (white cane) and methods that the users learn during the training of orientation and movement. In present paper authors investigate accessibility of information and communication technologies and services with the purpose of increasing the mobility level of the blind and visually impaired persons when moving in the traffic network of the City of Zagreb. The traffic intersections were analysed from the viewpoint of difficult-to-master for independent movement by using the basic methods of crossing a traffic intersection which the users acquire at the training of orientation and movement. The method of survey and interviews with a target group of users was used to evaluate all the relevant parameters of guidance and navigation resulting from the mentioned analyses and by performing training of orientation and movement in the duration of six months. Based on the carried out research and the used scientific methods the dynamic model has been defined and it is based on relevant parameters of guidance and navigation, and on the application of the information and communication technologies and services. The information provided to the user, by the system, is defined according to the currently available technologies. The model was efficiency tested on a real system of the traffic network of the City of Zagreb.