Blending Efficiency and Resilience in the Performance Assessment of Urban Intersections: A Novel Heuristic Informed by Literature Review

Nazanin Zare (), Elżbieta Macioszek (), Anna Granà and Tullio Giuffrè
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Nazanin Zare: Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze ed 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Elżbieta Macioszek: Department of Transport Systems, Traffic Engineering and Logistics, Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8 Street, 40-019 Katowice, Poland
Anna Granà: Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze ed 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Tullio Giuffrè: Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Enna Kore, Piazza Università 1, 94100 Enna, Italy

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 6, 1-24

Abstract: Urban mobility underscores the vital importance of ensuring traffic efficiency on road segments, intersections, and transportation networks, especially in challenging circumstances. In this perspective, the essential approach to improving urban intersection efficiency should involve understanding critical factors for maintaining operational performance in the face of disruptions such as storms. This paper, inspired by a systematic literature review, presents a novel heuristic for evaluating urban intersection efficiency, with resilience as its guiding principle. The methodological path was designed to address the fundamental question: How can urban intersections be designed and managed to ensure efficiency and resilience in the face of disruptions? Drawing inspiration from the Highway Capacity Manual procedure, the methodological approach encompasses both pre-storm and post-storm scenarios, comparing delay times at roundabouts and signalized intersections before and after a storm. The results reveal significant changes in delay times for traffic signals, although the choice between roundabouts and signalized intersections should be context-specific, considering factors like traffic conditions, resilience requirements, and associated trade-offs. By shedding light on the interplay between intersection design, control strategies, and urban resilience, this research provides valuable insights into integrating resilience considerations into intersection performance assessment and management strategies. It also underscores how particular intersection designs can impact efficiency and recovery, essential considerations when assessing whether a road or intersection project is resilient.

Keywords: road geometric design; resilient road; urban mobility; road traffic assessment; roundabout; traffic signal; performance efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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