International Congress on Innovations in Civil Engineering 2017 (ICE 2017)

An Optimum Urban Road Junction Design

Othman Ahmad1,*,Ismail Yusof2, Mohd Azizul Ladin1
1
Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
2
Faculty of Engineering Technology, University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor,
Malaysia

Received 28 June 20XX; accepted 5 August 20XX, available online 24 August 20XX

Abstract: As traffic congestion gets worse, tunnels had been proposed. Other solutions such
as mass transportation systems are not always the best because they require sacrifices in the
living style of the commuters. Traffic lights are not efficient in handling road junctions. Road
junctions that do not use traffic lights will use flyovers or tunnels but are expensive and
occupy a large area. In an urban environment where the average road speed is low, a low cost
in expense and area design is proposed. The road junction design consists of only one level of
tunnels/underpasses for small vehicles and mixed with normal traffic lights for all other
vehicles. An increase in handling road traffic is possible without disallowing larger vehicles. If
larger vehicles are not present, the traffic lights can be removed completely, increasing the
effective traffic flow.

1. Introduction equation is a rewrite of the flowrate in terms of

headway equation (7-8) in the Highway Capacity
As traffic congestions get worse, more desperate
Manual [1].
measures were proposed. Self-driving ride sharing
A safe gap for human drivers is two seconds [2].
vehicles will increase the passenger handling of the
For such a gap, the traffic flow for one lane of road in
road transportation systems. However this capacity is
one hour is 30 vehicles. Robot cars should therefore be
limited by the road junctions. At the junctions, traffic
able to increase traffic flow if they are able to operate
lights are required as the roads intersect with each
safely at a lower time gap.
other. When two roads intersect, we shall have a 4-way
For a 4-way intersection, it means that two road
intersection. Although we may have 5-way and 6-way
lanes cross. The total flow of the intersection is
intersections, these are rare and can be implemented by
therefore 2q. For a good intersection design, the total
using combinations of 4-way intersections and/or 3-
flow should equal this value for all the possible traffic
way intersection. When traffic lights are used, no
movements.
matter how efficient the algorithm and sensors are, at
For each lane, the vehicle can go straight, right or
peak periods, the best traffic handling is only half of
left. Referring to Figure 1, for vehicles driving on the
the best possible if tunnels and bridges were used.
left side of the road, turning left, D to L, does not need
Let us establish some basic equations for the
any tunnel. It just needs a bypass road, indicated by
discussions on road traffic flow.
two lanes going in the same direction. Turning right, D
Traffic flow (q) is the number of vehicles passing a
to R, requires a tunnel. One lane going straight, L to R
reference point per unit of time.
and vice versa, will need tunnels. It would require three
Spacing (s) is the centre-to-centre distance between
levels of tunnels for the right turn from the underpass.
two vehicles.
However, removing traffic lights require that two
Average speed (v) is the average distance covered
road lanes are able to merge to one road lane safely
per unit time.
without any traffic light. For safe merging, the speed of
vehicles on both lanes should be the same. It would
q = v / s
require additional lanes to allow stationary vehicles in
If g is the gap in time between vehicles (time  the bypass lane to merge with the main lane, taking
into account that when corners are sharp, vehicles will
headway), need to slow down considerably.
s = vg

Therefore,

q = 1 / g (1)

Equation (1) shows that traffic flow is dependent on

the gap between two vehicles, not on their speed. This

*Corresponding author: othman58@ums.edu.my 1

2011 UTHM Publisher. All right reserved.
O. Ahmad et al., Int. Congr. on Innov. in Civil Engineering Vol. 3 No. 1 (20XX) p. 1-4
Fig. 1. 4-way road intersection
Fig. 2. Screenshot of Google Maps on Sunday night
Assuming constant acceleration, a, distance
travelled, s, time t, a vehicle that is initially stationary,
it can be shown that:
s = ½ at2  (2)
Time, t, required to achieve terminal speed of vt can
be show to be:
2
t = vt / a (3)
Substituting equation (3) into (2):
s = ½ vt2 / a (4)
We can use equation (4) to design the distance of
the bypass lane to merge with the main lane.
If vt = 10 ms-1 or 36 km/hr and a = 1 ms-2 (0.1 g):
s = 50 m.
The 36 km/hr is chosen because it is the average
speed of vehicles on roads through Kota Kinabalu that
does not go through any flyover, in light traffic. Refer
to Figure 2.
More data on some cities in U.S.A. can be found in
[3]. In London, it is shown in [4]. Some of these cities
have higher average road speed than Kota Kinabalu
because of flyovers. These speeds, with low traffic,
range from 30 km/hr to 65 km/hr.
2. Literature review
A   few   inventions   allow   road   intersections   without
using   any   traffic   light.  [5]  uses   traffic   circles   and
flyovers   to  remove  traffic   lights.  It   requires   a  lot   of
space   so   is   not   suitable   for   a   dense   urban   area.   Its
advantage is that it uses two road levels only. Another
patent   that   uses   three   road   levels   is  [6].   It   can   be
considered a hybrid because it uses a road circle also.
Although   a   roundabout   does   not   require   any   traffic
light, drivers need to wait before they can enter the 
circle. It is more difficult than just merging two lanes
into one.
Classic textbook such as [7] uses passenger
capacity unit (PCU) as a unit of measurement for the
traffic flow, q. A larger vehicle such as a bus is
assigned as three PCUs. Equation (1) will fail in this
case because when we combine three vehicles, the gap
between them is zero, allowing a large flow rate.
Equation (1) is to be used with care but in this article,
the main emphasis is in designing for standard
passenger cars.
The bypass lane is called the weaving section in
[7] and [1]. When two lanes merge into one, it is called
merging. When one lane diverges into two lanes, it is
called diverging. Equation (4) provides a simple rule of
thumb in calculating the length of the weaving section
compared to the published documents.
Although there are calls for small underpasses [8], a
search in the internet proved elusive for small
underpasses with a vertical clearance of less than 3m,
except for trains. Even urban underpasses [9] does not
propose small underpasses. Small underpasses are
widely used in building car parks, which are only for
vehicles that are less than 2m in heights [10]. Figure 3
shows a typical entrance into an off-street car park.
Tachet, R. reported one method of removing traffic
lights [11]. This idea is based on a scenario where
sensor-laden vehicles pass through intersections by
 O. Ahmad et al., Int. J. Of Integrated Engineering Vol. 3 No. 1 (2011) p. 1-4
communicating and remaining at a safe distance from
each other [12]. It can be viewed as putting traffic
lights at each driverless vehicle. Traffic flow is still
limited by the amount of real estate space just like
network hubs. Hubs cannot compete with network
switches that allow point-to-point communications
similar to using layers of tunnels or bridges.
Problems of traffic jams are so bad that Elon Musk
had proposed a network of tunnels for cars travelling at
200 km/hr [13]. He had even formed a company to
investigate such a design.
Fig. 3. Civic Car Park, Auckland, New Zealand
3. Brief description
The design proposed in this paper is in the form similar
to a patent application. The diagrams and descriptions
should be sufficient to allow a person skilled in the arts
to construct and use the apparatus as described in this
article.
The proposed design consists of prior arts so are
feasible to be implemented. The prior arts are
combined in an unobvious manner and yet allow a
more efficient traffic flow without requiring too much
space. Only underpass or tunnel is recommended
because it does not obstruct the view of the city. Cost
and space is reduced by limiting the speed to around 40
km/hr and allowing only cars to pass through. To allow
busses and lorries to go through, the old traffic lights
need to be retained. One lane is for busses and the rest
of the central lanes can be reserved for cars going
through the underpass. The entrances to the underpass
need to be rain-proofed by putting roofs and side-walls.
Water pumps need to be provided in case some water
have managed to go into the underpass.
Since the speed is limited to just 40 km/hr, the
gradient of the entrance to the underpass can be steep.
The recommended gradient is 1:8 or 7°. For cars,
underpass height of 3 m, the distance of the entrance is
24 m. Since this underpass needs to cross at least two
lanes in one direction and two lanes in the reverse
direction, the underpass should be 12 m long. The total
length is therefore 60 m. The geometric design of the
road should follow the standard approved for the
locality such as [14].
To limit the levels to just two, there is no turn
underpass. The crossing turns can be implemented with
a U-turn underpass after the intersection. The exit of
the U-turn underpass should be the left-turn bypass.
The minimum radius should allow the largest cars that
are allowed to use the U-turn underpass. If four lanes
are used for the turning, assuming 3 m per lane, the
achievable turning radius is only 6 m, which is lower
than the recommended turning radius by [15].
4. Simplified design
Figure 4 shows a design for a 4­way intersection where
traffic lights are still used. Only the L to R way can
travel freely without being obstructed by traffic lights
and only for small  vehicles. If we follow the 4­lane
design, the minimum turning diameter for the U­turn is
only   9   m   centre­to­centre.   This   is   not   a   bad   design
choice   because   in   Kota   Kinabalu,   a   few   U­turns
actually have this as the turning diameter because of
the 3­lane space provided for the turn. It can also be
observed   that   most   of   the   time,   traffic   congestions
occur   only   in   one   direction.   This   solution   is   the
cheapest and feasible solution for a crowded city like
Kota Kinabalu.
If more space and budget is available, the design in
Figure 5 may be attempted. It does not allow large
vehicles at all and require six lanes although five lanes
can still be provided along the less congested direction.
Because of the extra lanes, the U-turn turning diameter
can be increased to 12 m if the lane width is 3 m.
Figure 6 shows the side view of the entrance and
the underpass. A roof is to be provided to reduce the
amount of water entering the underpass tunnel.
Fig. 4. 4-way intersection with traffic lights
3
O. Ahmad et al., Int. Congr. on Innov. in Civil Engineering Vol. 3 No. 1 (20XX) p. 1-4

Fig. 5. 4-way intersection without any traffic lights

Fig. 6. Side view of the entrance and underpass in dm

4
 O. Ahmad et al., Int. J. Of Integrated Engineering Vol. 3 No. 1 (2011) p. 1-4

5. Results and discussion

The   designs   that   are   presented   are   not   as   detailed   as
production   drawings   but   this   level   of   disclosure   of References
drawings and descriptions are usually accepted by patent
[1] Transportation Research Board,
offices, because what is required is that people skilled in Highway Capacity Manual, U.S.A. :
the art can use the drawings and descriptions to construct National Academy of Sciences, (2000)
and operate an embodiment of the invention. [2] New York State Department of Motor
Technical analysis is not compulsory but will be Vehicles, Chapter 8: Defensive Driving,
useful to establish the technical advantage of the [Cited: July 25, 2017],
invention. It should be noted that these designs do not https://dmv.ny.gov/about-dmv/chapter-8-
require elaborate construction techniques. However no defensive-driving, (2017)
design or patent had been published that implement the [3] infinitemonkeycorps.net, How Fast Is
road intersections as described in this paper. The Your City?, [Cited: July 25, 2017] ,
simplicity of the design is a strength of the design. Pre- http://infinitemonkeycorps.net/projects/cit
fabricated methods can be used to construct many of yspeed/, (2009)
such intersections, including T-junctions. Roundabouts [4] Mayor of London, [Cited: July 25,
can also be converted to this style of intersections, at 2017.] http://content.tfl.gov.uk/street-
least for small vehicles and in a particular direction only. performance-report-quarter3-2016-
Pre-fabrication will also reduce the construction time 2017.pdf, (2016)
and therefore the interruption to existing traffic while [5] Cedeno, Arturo Olivero, Patent
construction is carried out. The recommended method of No:2,941,454 U.S.A., (1960)
construction is to start at the centre in order to minimise [6] Niiya, Futoshi, Niiya, Hiroshi and
traffic disturbance. The central part of the road also has Kuroishi, Tomizo, Patent No: 7,234,891 b2
some space to separate the traffic so provides some space U.S.A., (2007)
for construction work.
[7] Slinn, Mike, Matthews, Paul and
Since the proposed gradient does not allow safe high
Guest, Peter, Traffic Engineering Design:
speed driving above 40 km/hr, warning signs and speed
Principles and Practice, 2nd Edition,
barriers need to be provided in front of the entrances to
Oxford: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann,
the tunnels/underpasses. Other safety measures must also
(2005)
be included which is beyond the scope of this article.
[8] Daily Times, Pakistan. More
6. Conclusion underpasses, flyovers required to
A simplified design methodology of a road junction is regulate traffic flow. Daily Times, [Cited:
presented. The properties and parameters of the design July 25, 2017.]
http://dailytimes.com.pk/sindh/16-May-
are   based   on   current   building   standards.   Analytical
16/more-underpasses-flyovers-required-
methods are also used to justify the optimisation used in to-regulate-traffic-flow, (2016)
the design. Some concluding observations of the design [9] The City of Calgary. Downtown
characteristics are given below. Underpass Urban Design Guidelines.
i. The design is unique but could be [Online] November 2010, https://www.cip-
implemented quickly and cheaply while icu.ca/Files/Awards/Planning-
requiring limited space. Excellence/2011-Winner-Urban-
ii. The design is most useful in congested Design.aspx, (2010)
urban areas. With ingenious design, the roof [10] Urban Planning Affairs, Kingdom of
can be made unobtrusive. Bahrain. Guidelines for the Design of Off-
iii. The design exploits the fact that road speed street Car Parking Facilities, [Cited: July
in urban areas are small so a steeper slope 25, 2017.]
can be used. The slower speed does not http://websrv.municipality.gov.bh/ppd/doc
mean that the traffic handling of this design /study_carpark.pdf, (2017)
is limited because the traffic flow is only [11] Revisiting Street Intersections Using
dependent on the gap allowed between Slot-Based Systems. Tachet, Remi, et al.,
vehicles in seconds. et al. [ed.] Tieqiao Tang, PLOS One,
iv. The design allows small cars to move (2016)
through junctions without going through [12] Dizikes, Peter. When slower is faster.
traffic lights. Because small cars contribute MIT News, [Cited: July 25, 2017],
the most to the flow of road traffic in urban http://senseable.mit.edu/light-traffic/,
areas, the overall traffic flow is more than if (2016)
traffic lights are to be used for the small [13] Statt, Nick. Elon Musk’s futuristic
cars. tunnel system looks both amazing and
impossible, The Verge, [Cited: July 25,
2017],
https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/28/154
76268/elon-musk-the-boring-company-
car-tunnel-concept-video, (2017)
[14] Public Works Department of
Malaysia, A Guide on Geometric Design of
Roads, (1989)
[15] Austroads. Design Vehicle and
Turning Path Templates Guide, [Cited: July
25, 2017],
http://www.austroads.com.au/road-
construction/road-design/turning-path-
templates, (2013)