Critical gap acceptance at two-way stop controlled intersections

Abstract

Data for this study were collected at several two-way stop controlled intersections in the northwest region of the United States of America. The intersections were video taped during peak hours and the data were manually reduced from the video tapes. The flow from the minor street is recorded in terms of time stamps for such events as the vehicle joins the queue, as it becomes first in line and as it leaves the intersection. The flow on the major street is recorded with time stamps for each vehicle arriving at the intersection. These time stamps establish the basis of defining critical gaps accepted by the minor street motorists. This critical gap acceptance is compared to the recommended practice in different countries for this type of intersection. Volume of traffic on the major street is also examined with a view to relating it to the flow of traffic from the minor street. Together these volumes are compared with the suggested limiting traffic volumes justifying the study of this type of intersection. Arrival patterns on the major street are viewed in relation to theoretical concepts.