Calibration of the HCM 2010 single-lane roundabout capacity equations for Georgia conditions (Phase 2)

Abstract

The operational performance of an existing or proposed roundabout can be assessed through capacity models. In order to provide improved capacity predictions for existing and proposed Georgia roundabouts, the 2010 HCM roundabout capacity equations need to be locally calibrated based on Georgia drivers. The purpose of this study is to collect field data necessary to calculate follow-up and critical headways at Georgia roundabouts in order to calibrate the 2010 HCM capacity equations to yield improved capacity predictions. The research team filmed 28 approaches at thirteen Georgia roundabouts for a total of 56.5 hours. The video was processed manually using an in-house computer program. Based on analyst keystrokes during the video review the program would extract timestamps of events that are necessary for calculating follow-up and critical headway. The follow-up and critical headway values were calculated for two different data sets: 1) including exiting vehicles and 2) excluding exiting vehicles. The critical and follow-up headway for an analysis including exiting vehicles is 4.192 seconds and 2.788 seconds respectively. The critical and follow-up headway for an analysis excluding exiting vehicles is 4.747 seconds and 3.265 seconds respectively. This study found that including the exiting vehicles impacts the capacity. The capacity increases or decreases based on the percentage of conflicting vehicles that are exiting vehicles. In addition, this study’s calibrated model excluding exiting vehicles predicts higher capacity than the 2010 HCM model that GDOT recommends which also excludes exiting vehicles.