A strategy to achieve effective single-stream MOVA control of roundabouts

Abstract

The ability of MOVA to efficiently control small roundabouts has been called into question in recent years. Typically, such control has been achieved through configuring the junction as a single stream. However, this has been shown in research by Helen Robinson to be a potentially less effective mode of control compared with short-cycle fixed time signal plans because of lost time resulting from the lack of ability to overlap successive entry greens. In response to this, Stuart Beniston and Stuart Minchin, working on behalf of the Highways Agency, developed two new forms of multi-stream MOVA strategy (CLF Mimic and End Saturation control) which performed comparably with fixed-time plans at Hobby Horse roundabout in Leicestershire. This paper builds on this work and describes the development of a single-stream MOVA control strategy which uses short length ‘micro-stages’ to over-come the issues with typical single-stream control. This strategy is assessed using VISSIM and PC MOVA using Bromley Heath roundabout on the Avon Ring Road in South Gloucestershire as a case study. The results are presented and conclusions from the work are set out.