Advance Researches in Civil Engineering

Advance Researches in Civil Engineering

Integrated Congestion Analysis and Simulation-Based Improvement of the Al-Faris Al-Arabi Roundabout Using PTV VISSIM

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
sepehr saedi 1
Mina Mohammad 2
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Altinbas University, Istanbul Turkey
2 Department of Civil Engineering, Engineering faculty, Altinbas University, Istanbul, Turkey
10.30469/arce.2025.568408.1091
Abstract
Rapid growth in private-vehicle use and limited upgrades to traffic infrastructure have led to chronic congestion at key intersections in Baghdad. The Al-Faris Al-Arabi Roundabout is a critical bottleneck, with long queues and unstable circulating flow during peak hours. This study applies an integrated approach that combines field traffic counts, a commuter-perception survey, and microscopic simulation using PTV VISSIM to assess existing conditions and test improvements. Baseline results show average delays of about 80 s/veh, queues exceeding 150 m, and Level of Service (LOS) D, while more than 70% of surveyed users report daily delays above 20 minutes and noticeable stress and health impacts. Two mitigation strategies are evaluated: a flyover connecting Al-Mansour and Al-Zaytoun Streets, and adaptive signal control at the roundabout entries. The flyover reduces delays by roughly 19% and queues by 38%, whereas adaptive signal control achieves delay reductions of about 14.5% and queue reductions near 30%, with lower cost and faster implementation. The findings highlight the value of combining field data, user perceptions, and simulation to support congestion-mitigation decisions in rapidly developing cities like Baghdad.
Keywords
Traffic Congestion
PTV VISSIM
Roundabout
Adaptive Signal Control
Urban Mobility
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Advance Researches in Civil Engineering
Volume 6, Issue 4
Autumn 2024
Pages 17-30