Intersection Modifications Using Modular Mini-Roundabout Methods
Start Date: July 30, 2019
End Date: July 30, 2020
Researcher: Bhaven Naik, Ohio University
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), road traffic crashes kill approximately 1.2 million people annually, which puts road traffic casualties among the top causes of deaths worldwide. Injuries from road traffic crashes alone account for over 22% of all deaths globally. Initiatives have been established primarily to stabilize and reduce the number of road traffic fatalities; and moreover work toward no fatalities across all transportation modes. The Ohio DOT and other state agencies have been collaborating in implementing programs to achieve the "TOWARDS ZERO FATALITY" target. To specifically address intersection related safety, which represents approximately 40% of total traffic crashes, geometric modifications to existing intersections are recommended. Conversion of traditional intersections (i.e., two- and all-way stop control and signalized) to modern roundabouts has been a growing practice in many countries around the world including the U.S., largely due to the benefits in terms of reduction in crash frequency and severity, capacity improvement, and operational improvement.
The overall goal of this project is to develop guidelines for ORIL on the installation and performance of mini-/modular-roundabouts considering characteristics of Ohio's local transportation system. Over the last decade, there has been a growing interest in mini-/modular-roundabouts and a number of pilot projects have been undertaken. However, any detailed guidance that can assist with decision making is scanty and vaguely available. Therefore, there is a need to synthesize and summarize current research, and more importantly, be able to develop a mechanism that guides local transportation officials on how to decide on matters pertaining to mini/modular-roundabout such as design, materials, costs, and installation. To accomplish this overall goal, the OHIO/WVU team aims to complete the following specific objectives:
- Conduct an extensive review and synthesis of current published research and pilot projects that will be exclusive to the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of mini-/modular-roundabouts. This will entail a desktop review and also direct communication with responsible parties in situations where project specific information is not readily available or partially available online.
- Conduct a survey of practitioners and local transportation professionals in Ohio to investigate their current practices (if any) and identify important factors that relate to installation of mini-/modular-roundabouts.
- Conduct a driving simulator based investigation that will help compare navigability differences between different mini-/modular-roundabout designs and subsequently lead to the identification of improvements or precautions (if any) that would be needed in developing guidelines.
- Conduct a traffic microsimulation based investigation that will provide insights on different design factors and their importance in developing guidance on installation, safety and operations, and maintenance.
- Conduct a Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) to compare different alternative mini-/modular-roundabout designs.
- Develop a procedure and deliver a tool on multi criteria analysis based decision making for location specific mini-/modular-roundabout design selection.
- Develop installation guidelines for use of mini-/modular-roundabouts specific to Ohio's local transportation system.