Microscopic traffic simulation is useful tool in analysing traffic and estimating the capacity and level of service of road networks. In this thesis, the four legged Idrottsparken roundabout in the city of Norrkoping in Sweden is analysed by using the microscopic traffic simulation package AIMSUN. For this purpose, data regarding traffic flow counts, travel times and queue lengths were collected for three consecutive weekdays during both the morning and afternoon peak periods. The data were then used in model building for simulation of traffic of the roundabout. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) method is used to get the optimal parameter value between queue length and travel time data and validation of travel time data are carried out to obtain the basic model which represents the existing condition of the system. Afterward, the results of the new models were evaluated and compared to the results of a SUMO model for the same scenario model. Based on calibrated and validated model, three alternative scenarios were simulated and analysed to improve efficiency of traffic network in the roundabout. The three scenarios includes: (1) add one free right turn in the north and east sections; (2) add one free right turn in the east and south sections; and (3) addition of one lane in roundabout. The analysis of these scenarios shows that the first and second scenario are only able to reduce the queue length and travel time in two or three legs, while the third scenario is not able to improve the performance of the roundabout. In this research, it can be concluded that the first scenario is considered as the best scenario compared to the second scenario and the third scenario. The comparison between AIMSUN and SUMO for the same scenario shows that the results have no significance differences. In calibration process, to get the optimal parameter values between the model measurements and the field measurements, both of AIMSUN and SUMO uses two significantly influencing parametersfor queue and travel time. AIMSUN package uses parameter of driver reaction time and the maximum acceleration, while SUMO package uses parameter of driver imperfection and also the driver rection time.

I dagens samhälle är runt två miljoner svenskar störda av trafikbuller, samtidigt som bilismen och vägtransporterna ökar. För att få en säkrare trafikmiljö med ett jämnare körsätt är det populärt att bygga om vanliga korsningar till cirkulationsplatser. Denna rapport fokuserar på vad som händer med bullernivåerna då trafiken passerar en cirkulationsplats. Undersökningarna har genomförts genom att beräknade bullernivåer jämförts med uppmätta värden från olika cirkulationsplatser. Arbetet inleds med en litteraturstudie om ljud- och bullerfrågor. Bullermätningar utfördes vid totalt åtta olika cirkulationsplatser, där både ekvivalentnivåer och maxvärden samlades in. Därefter beräknades medelvärden av dessa. Ekvivalentnivåer korrigerade för variationer i trafikmängden beräknades också. Dessa olika värden jämfördes sedan med modellerade värden, beräknade med både 1996 års beräkningsmodell och med en ny modell kallad Nord2000. Resultaten från mätningarna tyder på att ekvivalentnivåerna, vid ett bestämt avstånd från vägen, generellt minskar desto närmare cirkulationsplatsen man kommer. Även tidigare forskning i frågan tyder på att trafikbullernivåerna tenderar att minska i anslutning till en cirkulationsplats. Detta fenomen kan troligtvis förklaras med den minskade hastigheten hos fordonen runt cirkulationsplatsen. Maxnivåerna uppvisar en större spridning mellan mätpunkterna än vad ekvivalentnivåerna gör, vilket troligen beror på att maxnivåerna är väldigt känsliga för enskilda fordonspassager. Dock visar resultat från nio av elva mätningar att även maxnivåerna ökar med avståndet till cirkulationsplatsen. Vid jämförelse av de modellerade och uppmätta värdena visar det sig att 1996 års modell i genomsnitt visar 1,1 dBA lägre och Nord2000 visar 1,4 dBA lägre än de uppmätta värdena. Att Nord2000 i medel ger en större avvikelse än 1996 års modell kan bero på det finns betydligt fler parametrar i Nord2000 att ställa in. Därmed kan modellen bli känsligare för till exempel en felaktigt skattad fordonshastighet, acceleration eller vindstyrka.

There is increased interest in building modern roundabouts in Georgia and in the United States because of the safety and operational benefits that can be realized from this type of intersection. With this interest comes the increasing need to be able to estimate the capacity that a roundabout can provide after it is built. In the early 2000s, a National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) study was conducted that, among other tasks, developed single-lane and multi-lane roundabout capacity estimation equations. These equations, presented in the Highway Capacity Manual 2010 (HCM 2010), can be calibrated using locally determined values of follow-up headway and critical headway. This study was designed to calibrate the HCM 2010 roundabout capacity equation for single-lane roundabouts to driving conditions in Georgia. In order to develop estimates of the calibration parameters, video imagery was recorded for 13 approaches at six roundabouts in Georgia for approximately two hours during the peak period. A total of 29.5 hours of video was recorded. Data from three of these roundabouts forms the basis of this thesis. The videos were processed by a Java program to collect time stamps that were subsequently used in Microsoft Excel to calculate the follow-up and critical headway values required for calibration. The values of critical headway and follow-up headway that were found from the video data are presented in the results as well as the single-lane capacity equations calibrated from the data. Two types of analysis were done, one that includes exiting vehicles and one that does not include exiting vehicles. When exiting vehicles were excluded, the weighted average of follow-up and critical headway were found to be 3.46 and 4.17 seconds respectively and when exiting vehicles were included in the analysis the weighted averages of the follow-up and critical headway were found to be 2.80 seconds and 3.34 seconds respectively. It was found that exiting vehicles do have an impact on the operations at the roundabout in most cases, and including exiting vehicles in the analysis tends to increase the capacity predicted by the calibrated equations.

The study should be seen as an attempt to examine how a group of selected muslims from seven different cities in Sweden relate to Lars Vilks’s drawings of the prophet Muhammed (also called the roundabout dog) and if they feel that their attitude towards the drawings has changed during the seven years that have passed since the first drawing was published in the newspaper Närkes Allehanda in 2007. To understand these selected muslims’ approach, experiences and feelings in regards to the drawings I examine in what aspect they find the drawings provocative. I also examine what consequences Vilks’s roundabout dog-project might have had  for individual muslims in Sweden. The result portrays their individual reactions, experiences, feelings, views and thoughts on Vilks’s roundabout dog-project. The answers from the informants have been analyzed and discussed based on hermeneutic research theory. The informants own recount and the following analysis the study contributes to the understanding of the facts behind the perceived provocation of the images of the prophet Muhammad.

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A comprehensive evaluation of roll and yaw stability of tractor/semitrailers with single and dual trailers in city and highway conditions is conducted. Commercial vehicles fundamentally behave differently in city driving conditions than at high speeds during highway driving conditions. In order to closely examine each, this study offers two distinct evaluations of commercial vehicles: 1) low-speed driving in tight turns, representative of city driving; and 2) high-speed lane change and evasive maneuvers, typical of highway driving. Specifically, for city driving, the geometric parameters of the roadway in places where tight turns occur—such as in roundabouts—are closely examined in a simulation study in order to evaluate the elements that could cause large vehicle body lean (or high rollover index), besides the truck elements that have most often been studied. Two roundabout geometries, 140-ft single-lane and a 180-ft double-lane, are examined for various truck load conditions and configurations. The vehicle configurations that are considered are a straight 4x2 truck, a tractor with a 53-ft semi-trailer (commonly known as WB-67), and two trucks in double-trailer configurations. Five potential factors are identified and thoroughly studied: circulatory roadway cross-section, roundabout tilt, truck configurations, truck apron geometry, and truck load condition. The results of the study indicate that when the rear axles of the trailer encounter the truck apron in the roundabout, the climbing and disembarking action can cause wheel unloading on the opposite side, therefore significantly increasing the risk of rollover. Interestingly, in contrast to most high-speed rollovers that happen with fully-loaded trailers, at low speeds, the highest risks are associated with lightly loaded or unloaded trucks. For high-speed driving conditions, typical of highway driving, a semi-truck with a double 28-ft trailer configuration is considered, mainly due to its increasing use on U.S. roads. The effect of active safety systems for commercial vehicles, namely Roll Stability Control (RSC) for trailers and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for the tractor, is closely examined in a test study. Various trailer loading possibilities are evaluated for different combinations of ESC/RSC on the tractor and trailer, respectively. The results of the study indicate that 1) RSC systems reduce the risk of high-speed rollovers in both front and rear trailers, 2) the combination of ESC (on tractor) and RSC (on trailer) reduce the risk of rollover and jackknifing, and 3) RSC systems perform less effectively when the rear trailer is empty. / PHD

The first part of this thesis focuses on the theory of a car free city. It does a shallow dive into the theory on garden cities by Ebenezer Howard and how his plans can function as a starting line for this thesis. Furthermore, we take in the concept of how to Copenhagenize a city with Copenhagen itself as a point of interest. The thesis also adds on an answer of what will happen with the cars when they are moved out of the city.A couple of case studies are added as base for the understanding of how this kind of project can function. However, as this thesis is in a new field of study these cases are only partially relevant to the concept since a perfect case does not exist yet.This thesis should serve as an eye opener for both the general public and private investors and municipalities alike. Nowadays as more and more people are focusing green energy and how to minimize pollution in accordance with the Paris decree. A large factor will be on how to modernize our cities. This thesis illustrates the concept of removing the cars from the cities and how such a city infrastructure could work. Also showcases the authors own project that is created in accordance with the concept where he has created the city center for an area that is developed for a car free city.

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As the modern roundabout continues to grow in popularity within the United States, more states are considering or implementing statewide roundabout programs and policies. To assist states with the implementation of statewide roundabout programs and policies, an analytical review of statewide roundabout programs and policies was conducted through an examination of literature, interviews, and data pertaining to the construction of roundabouts. The roundabout policy type for each state and the District of Columbia was located, and assigned to a roundabout policy type based on the strength of the identified policy type. In addition, a series of per capita analyses of the statewide roundabout policies was performed, as was a qualitative SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis. The results of the analysis show that the strength of a statewide roundabout policy is correlated to the number of roundabouts in a state, and states should consider implementing or strengthening their policies if they seek to expand the use of roundabouts in their jurisdiction. In addition, the perception of roundabouts, both by the general public and internal to the state DOTs, also continues to hinder the further implementation of roundabouts, and education should be utilized to minimize these obstacles. Furthermore, states should utilize identified successful implementation procedures, and should be cognizant of reasons for implementation failure, as they pursue the further use of roundabouts by their agency.