Performance evaluation of Queue Jump Lane using microsimulation in VISSIM

In India, buses play a pivotal role in public transportation, yet commuters often face delays in their daily travels. To address this, Queue Jump Lane (QJL) interventions at intersections have been proposed. Existing studies focus on reducing bus delays, often at the expense of increased travel times for non-priority vehicles, and predominantly consider homogeneous traffic conditions. This study aims to identify an optimal QJL scenario, evaluating its performance across varying Volume-to-Capacity (v/c) ratios to minimize bus travel time while causing minimal disruptions to other modes of transportation. Conducting research in Guwahati, a city with mixed traffic conditions, data on road geometry, traffic signals, and vehicular characteristics were collected from two signalized intersections. Using VISSIM software, a Traffic Microsimulation Model (TMM) was developed to simulate Priority Scenarios (PS) representing various QJL configurations, including bus advance areas and pre-signals. The model underwent calibration through sensitivity analysis, employing One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and validation based on the Root Mean Square Normalized Error (RMSNE) using Traffic volume as the Measure of Effectiveness (MOE). Simulation results highlight that PS10, incorporating a curb-side QJL with pre-signal, a fully utilized 75m bus advance area, and a nearside bus stop, can be able to reduce bus travel time by 39% with minimal impact on non-priority vehicles. However, PS10's efficiency diminishes when v/c ratios exceed 1. This study provides valuable insights for transport planners and practitioners, assisting in the selection and implementation of optimal QJL scenarios tailored to specific intersections and prevailing v/c ratios. This research contributes to enhancing public transportation efficiency while considering the complexities of mixed traffic conditions.