Blockage impact on delay at signalized intersections with channelized right-turn lane

What is it about?

Under heavy traffic conditions the through vehicles will likely block the channelization entrance that accrues delay to right-turn vehicles. Using HCM or other standard traffic control methods without considering the blockage effects would lead to underestimation of the delay. To overcome this issue, the authors proposed delay models by taking into account both deterministic and random aspects of vehicles arrival patterns at signalized intersections.

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Why is it important?

If the right-turn channelization gets blocked frequently, its advantage in reducing the intersection delay is neglected and as a result the channelization lane becomes inefficient and redundant. The delay estimates would be useful in evaluating adequacy of the current geometry, identifying the options of extending the short-lane section length, or changing signal timing to reduce the likelihood of blockage.