A Microsimulation-Based Methodology for Evaluating Efficiency and Safety in Roundabout Corridors: Case Studies of Pisa (Italy) and Avignon (France)
This research is part of a broader investigation into innovative simulation-based approaches for improving traffic efficiency and road safety in roundabout corridors. These corridors, composed of successive roundabouts along arterials, present systemic challenges due to the dynamic interactions betw...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Infrastructures |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2412-3811/10/7/186 |
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| author | Lorenzo Brocchini Antonio Pratelli Didier Josselin Massimo Losa |
| author_facet | Lorenzo Brocchini Antonio Pratelli Didier Josselin Massimo Losa |
| author_sort | Lorenzo Brocchini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This research is part of a broader investigation into innovative simulation-based approaches for improving traffic efficiency and road safety in roundabout corridors. These corridors, composed of successive roundabouts along arterials, present systemic challenges due to the dynamic interactions between adjacent intersections. While previous studies have addressed localized inefficiencies or proposed isolated interventions, this paper introduces possible replicable methodology based on a microsimulation and surrogate safety analysis to evaluate roundabout corridors as integrated systems. In this context, efficiency refers to the ability of a road corridor to maintain stable traffic conditions under a given demand scenario, with low delay times corresponding to acceptable levels of service. Safety is interpreted as the minimization of vehicle conflicts and critical interactions, evaluated through surrogate measures derived from simulated vehicle trajectories. The proposed approach—implemented through Aimsun Next and the SSAM tool—is tested on two real-world corridors: Via Aurelia Nord in Pisa (Italy) and Route de Marseille in Avignon (France), assessing multiple intersection configurations that combine roundabouts and signal-controlled junctions. Results show how certain layouts can produce unexpected performance outcomes, underlining the importance of system-wide evaluations. The proposed framework aims to support engineers and planners in identifying optimal corridor configurations under realistic operating conditions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a2a2eb691ceb4de1aee09ba0b0fc01a5 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2412-3811 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Infrastructures |
| spelling | doaj-art-a2a2eb691ceb4de1aee09ba0b0fc01a52025-07-25T13:25:22ZengMDPI AGInfrastructures2412-38112025-07-0110718610.3390/infrastructures10070186A Microsimulation-Based Methodology for Evaluating Efficiency and Safety in Roundabout Corridors: Case Studies of Pisa (Italy) and Avignon (France)Lorenzo Brocchini0Antonio Pratelli1Didier Josselin2Massimo Losa3Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, ItalyUMR 7300 ESPACE (Étude des Structures, des Processus, de l’Adaptation et des Changements de l’Espace), CNRS, Université d’Avignon, 74 rue Louis Pasteur, 84029 Avignon Cedex 1, FranceDepartment of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, ItalyThis research is part of a broader investigation into innovative simulation-based approaches for improving traffic efficiency and road safety in roundabout corridors. These corridors, composed of successive roundabouts along arterials, present systemic challenges due to the dynamic interactions between adjacent intersections. While previous studies have addressed localized inefficiencies or proposed isolated interventions, this paper introduces possible replicable methodology based on a microsimulation and surrogate safety analysis to evaluate roundabout corridors as integrated systems. In this context, efficiency refers to the ability of a road corridor to maintain stable traffic conditions under a given demand scenario, with low delay times corresponding to acceptable levels of service. Safety is interpreted as the minimization of vehicle conflicts and critical interactions, evaluated through surrogate measures derived from simulated vehicle trajectories. The proposed approach—implemented through Aimsun Next and the SSAM tool—is tested on two real-world corridors: Via Aurelia Nord in Pisa (Italy) and Route de Marseille in Avignon (France), assessing multiple intersection configurations that combine roundabouts and signal-controlled junctions. Results show how certain layouts can produce unexpected performance outcomes, underlining the importance of system-wide evaluations. The proposed framework aims to support engineers and planners in identifying optimal corridor configurations under realistic operating conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2412-3811/10/7/186roundabout corridorsdynamic simulationssurrogate safety analysistraffic efficiencytraffic safetyintersection configurations |
| spellingShingle | Lorenzo Brocchini Antonio Pratelli Didier Josselin Massimo Losa A Microsimulation-Based Methodology for Evaluating Efficiency and Safety in Roundabout Corridors: Case Studies of Pisa (Italy) and Avignon (France) Infrastructures roundabout corridors dynamic simulations surrogate safety analysis traffic efficiency traffic safety intersection configurations |
| title | A Microsimulation-Based Methodology for Evaluating Efficiency and Safety in Roundabout Corridors: Case Studies of Pisa (Italy) and Avignon (France) |
| title_full | A Microsimulation-Based Methodology for Evaluating Efficiency and Safety in Roundabout Corridors: Case Studies of Pisa (Italy) and Avignon (France) |
| title_fullStr | A Microsimulation-Based Methodology for Evaluating Efficiency and Safety in Roundabout Corridors: Case Studies of Pisa (Italy) and Avignon (France) |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Microsimulation-Based Methodology for Evaluating Efficiency and Safety in Roundabout Corridors: Case Studies of Pisa (Italy) and Avignon (France) |
| title_short | A Microsimulation-Based Methodology for Evaluating Efficiency and Safety in Roundabout Corridors: Case Studies of Pisa (Italy) and Avignon (France) |
| title_sort | microsimulation based methodology for evaluating efficiency and safety in roundabout corridors case studies of pisa italy and avignon france |
| topic | roundabout corridors dynamic simulations surrogate safety analysis traffic efficiency traffic safety intersection configurations |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2412-3811/10/7/186 |
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