MPC
Project Details

Title:	Proposing the Super DDI Design to Improve the Performance of Failing Service Interchanges in Mountain-Plains Region
Principal Investigators:	Amirarsalan Mehrara Molan, Anas Alrejjal, and Khaled Ksaibati
University:	University of Wyoming
Status:	Completed
Year:	2018
Grant #:	69A3551747108 (FAST Act)
Project #:	MPC-573
RH Display ID:	15406
Keywords:	diamond interchanges, highway design, interchanges, traffic simulation

Abstract

A majority portion of the current service interchanges (an interchange is called service when freeways meet arterials or collectors) in the U.S were built more than 50 years ago when traffic volume was much lower, and the type of vehicles and driving habits were completely different. Because of the inconsistency between the old designs and today's condition, many of these interchanges are dealing with serious safety and traffic operation problems. Therefore, it has been an essential task for the transportation agencies to improve the performance of interchanges regarding traffic service, safety, and pedestrian. This study proposes the new super diverging diamond interchange (super DDI) as the possible alternative design where existing interchanges are failing. A comprehensive series of simulation tests in VISSIM and the Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM) will model the traffic operation, pedestrian performance, and safety of the most critical interchanges located in Mountain-Plains Region (MPR). Then, the models will be compared with the proposed super DDI design at each location to clarify the benefits of the improvement. A cost estimation and validation procedure will be also conducted to complete the study. This study is the first step in improving the failing interchanges in MPR in a more beneficial way. Therefore, the results will be useful in the planning phase of the interchange improvement projects which are going to consider a DDI as the target design, while the super DDI might be introduced for them as a better alternative which provides more benefits.

Project Deliverables

• [Final Report] Proposing the Super DDI Design to Improve the Performance of Failing Service Interchanges in Denver Metro, Colorado — MPC-22-461
  • View Research Brief

Project Word Files

• Show project Word files
  • Full Description (Word, 230K)
  • UTC Project Information (Word, 21K)

  Note to project PIs: please use the Track Changes feature when editing the above Word file(s). Updated document(s) should be emailed to ndsu.ugpti@ndsu.edu.