The effectiveness of applying dynamic lane assignment at all approaches of signalized intersection

Alhajyaseen, Wael; Najjar, Muath; Ratrout, Nedal T.; Assi, Khaled · 2017 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1016/j.cstp.2017.01.008

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Summary

This thesis investigates the effectiveness of applying Dynamic Lane Grouping (DLG) at all approaches of a signalized intersection to mitigate congestion caused by spatial and temporal variations in traffic demand. Conventional signal control strategies assume fixed lane assignments for specific movements (left-turn, through, right-turn), which often leads to inefficient use of time-space resources when demand fluctuates significantly between movements. The research aims to evaluate whether dynamically assigning lanes to high-demand movements, combined with optimized signal timing, can reduce intersection delay, queue length, and emissions compared to Fixed Lane Grouping (FLG). The study develops an analytical model to identify the optimal Lane Group Combination (LGC) and optimize signal timing parameters, specifically cycle length and green splits, based on a minimum intersection delay criterion. The methodology incorporates demand variations, saturation flow rates, and flow factors to determine the most efficient lane configurations. The model’s performance was validated through sensitivity analysis and by comparing its outputs with established traffic simulation software, including Synchro 7 and Highway Capacity Software (HCS 2000). Field data from a signalized intersection in the Al-Khobar and Dammam metropolitan areas was utilized to assess the real-world applicability of the DLG strategy against traditional fixed lane strategies. The results demonstrate that applying DLG across all approaches significantly enhances intersection performance. Specifically, the dynamic strategy led to a substantial reduction in average intersection delay and optimized cycle lengths compared to FLG. The model showed strong agreement with Synchro and HCS 2000 outputs, validating its accuracy. The study found that DLG effectively accommodates illegal driver behaviors, such as using through lanes for left turns, by legally reallocating lanes to match real-time demand. This flexibility improves lane utilization and prevents the oversaturation that typically occurs when fixed lanes cannot handle fluctuating traffic volumes. The significance of this research lies in its contribution to Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and Active Traffic Demand Management (ATDM). By proving that DLG reduces delay and associated environmental impacts like fuel consumption and emissions, the study supports the adoption of dynamic lane assignment as a viable alternative to fixed infrastructure. The findings suggest that integrating DLG with signal optimization offers a cost-effective method to improve mobility at isolated intersections without requiring physical roadway expansion, addressing critical urban congestion challenges.

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• intersection design