Microcosmic Simulation Research on U-Turn Design of the Signalized Intersection

This paper simulations and analyzes the U-turn design of the signalized intersection with central dividing strip by using the microcosmic traffic simulation software AIMSUN. The conflict feature of left turn traffic at level crossing in urban road, including conflict point, space and time feature, and influence of left turn traffic to traffic at the crossing are analyzed. Targeting at the traffic feature of left turn traffic, it is suggested to use U-turn design at the signalized intersection with central dividing strip, so the number of conflict points can be reduced, capacity improved, and traffic delay of other phases is reduced. At last, as an example, a signalized intersection in Shanghai is analyzed. Aiming to reach the least delay, this example simulates the traffic flow qualifications of channelization in getting to know the detailed position of left-turn portal in AIMSUN. By comparing the traffic analysis of intersection, we can get that the saturation and traffic delays are improved remarkably after U-turn design.