(Manuscript No: I12528-12) April 27, 2012 / Accepted: May 8, 2012

Concept of geometric design of an exclusive 3 legged grade separated interchange

Shohana Iffat*
She is now a lecturer of Ahsanllah University of Science & Technology, Department of Civil and Transportation Engineering BUET, Bangladesh. (Email: shohanaiffat@yahoo.com) Abstract - A huge amount of congestion observed at the junctions especially 3-legged junctions (Tintersections) because of construction fault and large demand which exceeds the capacity. As a result the cost of delay occurred at this place causes a great economic loss. The objectives of this study are to perform safety and capacity analysis for constructing a grade separated interchange at the concerned intersection and to design a grade separated interchange facility. Keywords: Ramp, U-loop, interchange, grade separation. Introduction Researchers have said most of the black-spots (hazardous locations for accident) fall in intersections, roundabouts, junctions and turnings. T-intersections create a huge amount of congestion and it is also such a place with high accident risk. When the queue formation at at-grade junction is too large and so demand exceeds capacity, then signalized at grade junction does not work. Then grade separated interchange is required. Also if there is no provision for channelization/corner widening/approach widening for shortage of space required. And the last reason is if speed control could not be maintained properly through at grade intersection and accident rate is very high then grade separation is necessary. From all the above circumstances can be improved by constructing a grade separated interchange.. Objective To perform safety and capacity analysis for constructing a grade separated interchange at the concerned intersection. To design a grade separated interchange facility. Procedure If in a three legged at grade intersection roundabout is introduced, then all left turn, right turn and through traffic are sharing the same round about which control the capacity of this intersection. So all types of turnings produce conflict in large amount. As the existing intersection which is not functional round-about is not suitable for managing current traffic, review of a new road design is deadly necessary.The conventional trumpet interchange can be one of the solutions for this mentioned intersection. But its one loop ramp which controls the whole capacity of the T-intersection, handles two-way traffic. This loop also has a sharp bend and reduce the speed of traffic. Two separate U-loop can be constructed at this intersection as the following figure. Each movement is now free and none of the directional movement will be hampered by the other. So congestion, delay and possibility of conflict will be reduced.

International Journal Of Structronics & Mechatronics

Figure 1 : Modified 3-legged interchange

Outcome Our proposed grade separated interchange will eliminate the both right turn conflicts with others and provide one way ramps that solve the above mentioned problems with a new design scheme. It is hypothesized that the results of the research will reduce the accident rate and also increase the capacity that means reduce congestion at mentioned spot.. Conclusion The proposed interchange will be cost effective due to reduction in delay and also risk of accident. So this type of construction is very much suitable especially for developing countries. References 1. KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Safer City Intersection Master Plan Model Guidelines for Intersection Design and Operations. C. Daganzo, M. Cassidy, V. Gayah, Y. Xuan, Increasing Intersection Capacity with Multiple Modes, Berkeley, University of California, USA.

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