Microsimulation-Based Assessment of Traffic Performance and Sustainable Solutions: A Case Study of an Urban Intersection

Abstract

Traffic jam is one of the most important issues in fast-growing cities, and twin cities of Pakistan is no exception. Traffic Jams lead to traffic congestion problem, which is particularly growing in cities during rush hour, and as a result, it is creating additional delays, emissions, and safety concerns. This study evaluated the traffic performance of the intersection of the T-Chowk located at the southern end of the Islamabad Expressway with the help of the microsimulation modeling. The analysis is based on traffic count data and generated simulations are used to test the efficiency of the urban intersection and tested various sustainable solutions. The findings of the study showed that the adaptive signal control, expansion of the lanes, and the combination of the intelligent traffic systems (ITS) would significantly enhance the traffic flow which would reduce the effects on the environment and delays.