Comparative analysis & modelling for riders’ conflict avoidance behavior of E-bikes and bicycles at un-signalized intersections

With the increasing popularity of electric-assist bikes (E-bikes) in China, U.S. and Europe, the corresponding safety issues at intersections have attracted the attention of researchers. Understanding the microscopic behavior of E-bike riders during conflicts with other road users is fundamental for safety improvement and simulation modeling of E-bikes at intersections. This study compared the conflict avoidance behaviors of E-bike and conventional bicycle riders using field data extracted from video recordings of different intersections. The impact of conflicting road user type and gender on E-bikes and bicycles were analyzed. Compared with bicycles, E-bikes appeared to enable more flexibility in conflict avoidance behavior. For example, E-bikes would behave like bicycles when conflicting with motor vehicles/Ebikes, and behave more like motor vehicles when conflicting with bicycles/pedestrians. Based on this, we built an Extended Cyclist Conflict Avoidance Movement (ECCAM) model, which can represent the conflict avoidance behavior of E-bikes/bicycles at mixed traffic flow un-signalized intersections. Field data were applied to validate the proposed model, and the results are promising

Decrease percentages in AVD and MQL of Plan I.

<p>Decrease percentages in AVD and MQL of Plan I.</p

Signal timing plans for Plan II under different scenarios (Unit: s).

<p>Signal timing plans for Plan II under different scenarios (Unit: s).</p

A real-time traffic control method for the intersection with pre-signals under the phase swap sorting strategy

<div><p>To deal with the conflicts between left-turn and through traffic streams and increase the discharge capacity, this paper addresses the pre-signal which is implemented at a signalized intersection. Such an intersection with pre-signal is termed as a tandem intersection. For the tandem intersection, phase swap sorting strategy is deemed as the most effective phasing scheme in view of some exclusive merits, such as easier compliance of drivers, and shorter sorting area. However, a major limitation of the phase swap sorting strategy is not considered in previous studies: if one or more vehicle is left at the sorting area after the signal light turns to red, the capacity of the approach would be dramatically dropped. Besides, previous signal control studies deal with a fixed timing plan that is not adaptive with the fluctuation of traffic flows. Therefore, to cope with these two gaps, this paper firstly takes an in-depth analysis of the traffic flow operations at the tandem intersection. Secondly, three groups of loop detectors are placed to obtain the real-time vehicle information for adaptive signalization. The lane selection behavior in the sorting area is considered to set the green time for intersection signals. With the objective of minimizing the vehicle delay, the signal control parameters are then optimized based on a dynamic programming method. Finally, numerical experiments show that average vehicle delay and maximum queue length can be reduced under all scenarios.</p></div

The queue status in sorting area.

<p>The queue status in sorting area.</p

Phasing scheme for the intersection with pre-signals proposed by Yan et al.

<p>Phasing scheme for the intersection with pre-signals proposed by Yan et al.</p

The layout scheme of loop detectors.

<p>The layout scheme of loop detectors.</p

The intersection with pre-signals on all approaches.

<p>The intersection with pre-signals on all approaches.</p

The traffic volumes in three different scenarios (Unit: pcu/h).

<p>The traffic volumes in three different scenarios (Unit: pcu/h).</p

BackPropagation Through Time for RNN.

<p>BackPropagation Through Time for RNN.</p