Study on Platoon Dispersion at Signalized Intersection in Heterogeneous Traffic Condition

Rapidly rising urban mobility causes more vehicle usage, which raises traffic volume, and ultimately causes congestion on Indian roads with a variety of traffic. One of the crucial places where traffic jams happen is at signalized intersections. Traffic congestion at junctions raises the saturation level at downstream and interferes with signal coordination. Signal coordination will enhance traffic flow while reducing delay and journey time in one direction. Therefore, the platoon characteristics between upstream and downstream should be assessed to combat this oversaturation and the consequence of signal coordination. This study aims to determine platoon dispersion at a signalized junction by analyzing speed data. Two study sections in Bengaluru were chosen for the investigation of platoon dispersion. Data regarding the speed characteristics of traffic flow were collected using videography method. Recording was done on weekdays and weekends, and peak and off-peak traffic data were collected. Platoon characteristics were assessed every 30 m throughout the 600 m stretch at downstream of the signalized intersection. The data pertaining to three levels of traffic volume: low, moderate, and heavy were clustered together. This research pinpointed the platoon dispersion pattern under the ideal traffic circumstances of Kodigehalli Gate Road and the non-ideal, heterogeneous traffic conditions of Old Madras Road. The initial and final platoon dispersions were detected at 150 and 330 m for light and moderate traffic circumstances, respectively, based on speed parameters assessed at every 30 m interval in first road section. While for heavy traffic situations, beginning and final platoon dispersions were seen at 240 and 330 m, respectively. In the second section, speed is investigated together with friction conditions. Based on speed parameters, initial and final dispersion is measured at 150 and 390 m, respectively, under low and moderate traffic circumstances, and it has been shifted to 450 m under heavy traffic situation.