Optimal design of intersections in an urban transport network


Funding:

NWO

Project:

Optimal design of intersections in an urban transport network

Duration:

2012-2021

Supervisor:

Prof. Dr. Ir. E.C. (Eric) van Berkum

Daily supervisor:


PhD student:

Drs. Ing. E. Bezembinder

Website:

Site Bezembinder

Thesis

Junction design rules. Improving junction design choices in urban traffic networks

ABSTRACT

The project considers an urban transport network with controlled and non-controlled intersections, and is about the optimal design of all intersections in the network, where transport demand is given. The research approach is a so-called multi-objective network design problem, where decision variables are related to the design of all intersections. In case of a controlled intersection the layout of the intersection and the configuration of the control plan are decision variables, in case of an uncontrolled intersection the type of intersection (e.g. roundabout or regular intersection) with the layout are decision variables.

Objective functions are related to network efficiency, the emissions of GHG, traffic safety and noise. The solution approach is bilevel, where the upper level deals with the network design and the lower level with individual travellers that try to optimize their own situation. For the lower level a modified version of the traditional Frank-Wolfe equilibrium approach is developed. In the upper level a modified form of a genetic algorithm is developed where so-called design grammers are included.

Publications