Search results for "Geometric design"
showing 10 items of 15 documents
Using Genetic Algorithms for Optimizing the PPC in the Highway Horizontal Alignment Design.
2016
Various studies have emphasized the interesting advantages related to the use of new transition curves for improving the geometric design of highway horizontal alignments. In a previous paper, one of the writers proposed a polynomial curve, called a polynomial parametric curve (PPC), proving its efficiency in solving several design problems characterized by a very complex geometry (egg-shaped transition, transition between reversing circular curves, semidirect and inner-loop connections, and so on). The PPC also showed considerable advantages from a dynamic perspective, as evidenced by the analysis of the main dynamic variables related to motion (as well as rate of change of radial accelera…
Conversion of Existing Roundabouts into Turbo-Roundabouts: Case Studies from Real World
2012
Compared with roundabouts the main advantages of turbo-roundabouts are the reduction in the number of potential conflicting points and the lower speed of vehicles passing through the intersection, they both can improve safety conditions at the junction. Moreover, the physical delimitation among lanes limits the side-by-side accident risk. These aspects make turbo-roundabouts more appropriate than roundabouts when a higher level of safety has to be guaranteed, particularly in presence of relevant pedestrian and two-wheels traffic volumes. The present paper has three main objectives: (1) to discuss general design criteria and functional principles of turbo roundabouts, (2) to give the geometr…
Geometric and conceptual knowledge representation within a generative model of visual perception
1989
A representation scheme of knowledge at both the geometric and conceptual levels is offered which extends a generative theory of visual perception. According to this theory, the perception process proceeds through different scene representations at various levels of abstraction. The geometric domain is modeled following the CSG (constructive solid geometry) approach, taking advantage of the geometric modelling scheme proposed by A. Pentland, based on superquadrics as representation primitives. Recursive Boolean combinations and deformations are considered in order to enlarge the scope of the representation scheme and to allow for the construction of real-world scenes. In the conceptual doma…
An overview of safety effects on pedestrians at modern roundabouts
2011
Pedestrians are important users of the transportation system, but most guidelines have given them little importance in the geometric design of roads and intersections. In these cases it can be difficult for vehicles and pedestrians to share the road safely, particularly at intersections where vehicle-pedestrian conflicts (and the risk of vehicle–pedestrian crashes) can be a frequently recurring situation even with low pedestrian volume. In a sustainable safety vision road system planning and design must include engineering choices that help to improve the sharing of road space between vehicles and pedestrians, as well as for other vulnerable users. It is known that modern roundabouts are sa…
Estimating the safety performance function for urban unsignalized four-legged one-way intersections in Palermo, Italy
2014
Abstract Starting from consideration that urban intersections are sites with promise for safety and operational improvements, the paper describes the steps taken to develop a crash predictive model for estimating the safety performance of urban unsignalized intersections located in Palermo, Italy. The focus is on unsignalized four-legged one-way intersections widespread in Italian downtowns. The sample considered in the study consist of 92 intersections in Palermo, Italy. For the study were collected crashes occurred in the sites during the years 2006-2012, geometric design and functional characteristics and traffic flow. Results showed that data were overdispersed and NB1 distributed. In o…
The Plateau-Bézier Problem
2003
We study the Plateau problem restricted to polynomial surfaces using techniques coming from the theory of Computer Aided Geometric Design. The results can be used to obtain polynomial approximations to minimal surfaces. The relationship between harmonic Bezier surfaces and minimal surfaces with free boundaries is shown.
Safety valuation methods at urban atypical intersections. Analysis of infrastructural scenarios
2007
The definition of decision support tools for identifying ex ante evaluation issues for road safety measures is a new challenge for policymakers and designers managing road networks with the intention of improving traffic safety for roads of their competence. This is consistent with explicit strategies on sustainability in the transport sector established at European level, considering road safety as an essential prerequisite to warrant a sustainable mobility. Based on these considerations, the need for evaluation instruments of safety conditions both for existing infrastructural schemes and for new road installations is recently arisen so that the identification of risks involved in a parti…
Estimation of Passenger Car Equivalents for Two-Lane and Turbo Roundabouts Using AIMSUN
2020
The paper addresses issues related to Passenger Car Equivalents (PCEs) at roundabouts. Compared to other road units, the curvilinear elements of roundabout geometric design may impose greater constraints on vehicular trajectories and have a significant effect on the swept envelope of heavy vehicles. Specifically, the aim of the paper is to present the methodological approach which used traffic microsimulation to estimate PCEs. Focus is made on a case study which considered the conversion of a two-lane roundabout into a basic turbo roundabout with comparable size. Empirical capacity functions for both roundabouts were derived as target values to which simulated capacities by lane were compar…
Mixed-aspect fractal surfaces
2013
In order to provide accurate tools to model original surfaces in a Computer Aided Geometric Design context, we develop a formalism based on iterated function systems. This model enables us to represent both smooth and fractal free-form curves and surfaces. But, because of the self-similarity property underlying the iterated function systems, curves and surfaces can only have homogeneous roughness. The aim of our work was to elaborate a method to build parametric shapes (curves, surfaces, ...) with a non-uniform local aspect: every point is assigned a ''geometric texture'' that evolves continuously from a smooth to a rough aspect. The principle is to blend shapes with uniform aspects to defi…
Turbo-Roundabouts: a Model to Evaluate Capacity, Delays, Queues and Level of Service
2012
A turbo roundabout is a particular type of roundabout where entering and circulating lanes are bounded by traffic signs and by non-mountable curbs. The physical separation between lanes, both at entries and on the ring, helps to prevent side collisions crossing the roundabout. The main advantages of turbo roundabouts are: i) reduction in the number of potential conflict points; ii) lower speed of vehicles passing through the intersection; iii) safety conditions at the intersection due to lower risk of side-by-side accidents. These aspects make turbo-roundabouts more appropriate than roundabouts when a higher level of safety has to be guaranteed, particularly in presence of relevant pedestri…