Asssesing the performance of the Clarendon rd/A660 junction
Submission deadline: 2PM (UK time) Wednesday 19th April 2023
This coursework accounts for 50% of the final mark for the module.
For this coursework, we will utilise the data collected on this year’s TDCA fieldwork conducted on Friday 28th of October 2022 from 09:00 to 17:00 at Clarendon road/A660 Junction. The coursework task requires you to analyse traffic levels, queue length and saturation headway on this junction in order to consider the effectiveness of the signalised intersection.
The data set collected during the survey is available in the ‘Assessment and Feedback’ section of the module Minerva site. Table 1 summarises the most relevant activities that can be used to support the assessment required for the coursework.
| Activity | Fieldwork Activity Description | Location |
| 1 | Bus service frequency, occupancy, and dwell times | A/B |
| 3 | Passenger occupancy counts for cars and taxis | A |
| 4 | Classified vehicle count of all turns on intersection | B |
| 5 | Air quality measurement | B |
| 6 | Queue length survey at signalised junction | B |
| 7 | Pedestrian crossing count | B |
| 8 | Cycling activity | B |
In addition to this data, you also have available a recording of the junction on the fieldwork day from 8:20 to 10:30. This will be used for collecting additional data to complete the coursework tasks.
You are required to prepare a report which analyses the data provided to consider whether there is a case for implementing traffic management strategies to improve the performance of the junction, and shift the demand towards more sustainable travel modes . Your report should answer the following questions:
| 1.- | Estimate and discuss the modal split (of people, not vehicles) outbound during the study period. For this task, you will need to collect pedestrians counts outbound using the video provided. | 20 marks |
| 2.- | Using the traffic counts, queue length survey and discharge headway, evaluate and discuss the performance of the traffic lights at the junction. For this task, you will need to collect the discharge headway using the video provided. You may use any additional dataset(s) that you find relevant to your discussion. | 15 marks |
| 3.- | What would be the minimum green time needed to clear the queue, during the busiest time on the data collection day? Calculate and discuss what would be the effect on the pedestrian crossing. | 15 marks |
| 4.- | Based on your results on the tasks above, recommend and justify a traffic management measure to shift demand from private vehicles to more sustainable travel modes. You may use other datasets from the data collection exercise to calculate benefits such as potential reduction in emissions. | 25 marks |
| 5.- | At present, the traffic lights at the junction are ‘fixed’. Consider whether there is a case for implementing adaptive (isolated or coordinated) traffic signals, taking into consideration possible benefits and costs of implementing other alternatives. You may use other datasets from the data collection exercise to calculate benefits such as potential reduced travel times. | 25 marks |
Due to the nature of the data, you will only be able to do some of these tasks approximately. You should explain your methods and state clearly what assumptions and simplifications you have had to make.
You are required to write a coherent report of 2000 words (excluding tables, calculations, diagrams and appendices). It is recommended that you write succinct answers to the questions and use appendices to support your answers.
The submission must be made electronically through turnitin, please see p6 of the module handbook for further details.
The report is due to be submitted by 2PM (UK time) on Wednesday 19th April 2023.
All coursework should be submitted using the template front cover sheet at the back of the module handbook, which can be found on Minerva. You should not put your name on your coursework so that it can be marked anonymously, however, you should put your ID number in the header in the top right hand corner of every page after the title page, and the module number in the top left hand corner of every page after the title page.
You must also name your file using the following format: ModuleNumber_Student ID Number.file type
For example: GEOG2020_2012345678.docx
This course work counts for 50% of your mark for this module.
