Traffic Analysis of Nutwood Avenue
Author:
Martin VaronaMentor:
David Naish, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, California State University FullertonThe primary goal for a traffic analysis is to inspect and optimize a transportation system. Traffic needs to be able to flow uninterrupted as long as possible and also be safe for drivers and pedestrians. Nutwood Avenue between State College Boulevard and the CA-57 freeway is a six lane wide street that generates a significant amount of traffic volume. Generally when school is in session Nutwood is congested during peak hours. Further evaluation of this street segment is recommended to allow traffic flow and safety enhancements. All observations and studies will be based on the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The MUTCD provides regulations and guidance to ensure proper traffic engineering practice is applied to any analysis or studies done on a California highway. All design characteristics from Nutwood such as traffic signal timing and coordination, permissive and protective left turns, lane configurations, and signing will be studied to see if they are both warranted and the best possible traffic control method. Once all data is recorded, a traffic simulation model will be programmed on Synchro. This traffic analysis program will simulate a model similar to Nutwood and show traffic flow based on the data that is provided. Synchro is also capable of experimentation by changing road conditions to see how traffic flow is affected. A proposed modification to traffic signalized intersections and road channelization will eliminate some congestion during the peak hours. Coordinating the traffic signals for those peak hours will assist in the progression of traffic flow. Modifying the road channelization for vehicles will provide added capacity to the street so that vehicular demand will not exceed roadway capacity. A fully optimized traffic system for all students and citizens of the City of Fullerton will be achieved as part of the analysis.