UTCProjectInformation$–$National$Transportation$Center$@$Maryland$(NTC…ntc.umd.edu/sites/default/files/documents/research... · 2016-02-16 ·...

UTC  Project  Information  –  National  Transportation  Center  @  Maryland  (NTC@Maryland)  Project  Title    

A  National  Model  for  Predicting  Life  Cycle  Costs  and  Benefits  of  Intersection  Control  Alternatives  

University    

NC  State  University,  University  of  Maryland  

Principal  Investigator(s)    

Daniel  Findley,  Mark  Franz  

PI(s)  Contact  Information    

[email protected]  [email protected]    

PI(s)  and  Co-­‐PI(s)  Photo(s)    Image should be 80width x 120height pixels. Allowed file types: png gif jpg jpeg.        

   Funding  Source(s)  and  Amounts  Provided  (by  each  agency  or  organization)    

NCSU:  $77,699  

Total  Project  Cost    

$77,699  

Agency  ID  or  Contract  Number    

DTRT13-G-UTC30

Start  and  End  Dates    

4/1/16  –  8/31/17  

Project  Image  (for  website)  Should be 233width x 155height pixels. Allowed file types: png gif jpg jpeg.

 Brief  Description  of  Research  Project            

In  alignment  with  the  theme,  “Strategic  Transportation  Policies,  Investments  and  Decisions  for  Economic  Competitiveness,”  this  proposed  project  is  designed  to  optimize  the  allocation  of  public  funds  for  transportation  improvements  by  creating  a  computational  tool  that  enables  agencies  to  efficiently  compare  the  life  cycle  impacts  of  intersection  control  type  alternatives.  Unlike  related  tools  used  nationally,  this  web-­‐  based  engine  will  

calculate  variables  such  as  delay,  safety,  and  other  long-­‐term  costs  and  benefits  within  one  platform.  Due  to  their  geometric  configuration,  Two-­‐Way  Stop  Controlled  (TWSC)  intersections  can  be  associated  with  traffic  safety  and  operational  problems  as  volumes  increase  to  unmanageable  levels.  As  a  result,  transportation  agencies  across  the  nation  regularly  convert  TWSC  intersections  to  other  configurations,  in  particular  roundabouts,  traffic  signals,  and  all-­‐way  controlled  (AWSC)  types.  Each  of  these  has  advantages  and  disadvantages  that  result  in  unique  costs  and  benefits  to  the  public.  However,  transportation  agencies  are  challenged  to  monetize  and  compare  the  life  cycle  impacts  of  each  because  of  the  complexity  of  measuring  their  outcomes.  Compared  to  TWSC,  all  three  of  these  alternatives  have  been  shown  to  reduce  collisions;  however,  the  degree  of  reduction  can  vary  significantly  not  only  by  control  type,  but  also  by  location  type  (urban,  suburban,  or  rural)  and  state.  Conversion  to  an  AWSC  intersection  can  reduce  collisions  with  only  minimal  construction  and  maintenance  costs;  but,  can  result  in  increased  delay  as  volumes  increase.  Signalization  can  reduce  delay  to  side  street  movements;  however,  may  require  higher  construction,  maintenance,  and  operational  costs.  And  roundabouts  often  require  significant  initial  construction  costs  but  can  effectively  reduce  delay  if  the  right  conditions  exist  (Han,  Li,  and  Urbanik,  2008;  Jiang,  and  Yu.,  2012;  Sides,  Seals,  and  Walwork,  2005;  FHWA,  2004;  FHWA,  2010).    

Describe  Implementation  of  Research  Outcomes  (or  why  not  implemented)    May  Place  Any  Photos  Here                          

The  overarching  goal  of  this  project  is  to  develop  applied  research  maximizes  the  return  on  intersection  transportation  investments  across  the  United  States.  The  research  team  aims  to  accomplish  this  goal  through  two  main  objectives:  1.  Support  more  informed  decision  and  help  transportation  agencies  across  the  nation  more  accurately  project  long-­‐term  conversion  costs  by  outline  an  intersection-­‐specific  LCCA  methodology  and  updating  defaults  for  variables  that  impact  these  costs.  2.  Streamline  intersection  LCCA  analysis  by  creating  a  web-­‐based  tool  for  evaluating  the  long-­‐term  impacts  associated  with  converting  a  two-­‐way  stop  controlled  intersection  to  three  different  intersection  options:  1)  all-­‐way  stop  controlled,  2)  signalized,  and  3)  roundabout.  

       Impacts/Benefits  of  Implementation  (actual,  not  anticipated)                            

Project  has  not  begun  yet,  so  no  impacts  have  been  realized.  

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