Analysis and improvement of the performance of a signalized intersection in the city: The case of Konyaalti, Antalya province

From the past to the present, solutions have been produced according to the conditions of the period in terms of transportation. Transportation facilities that can adapt to changing conditions day by day have been tried to be implemented. The common purpose of transportation engineering studies is to connect people and places in a safe, fast and comfortable way. Along with time and safety issues in transportation, the comfort criterion is also an important issue that can affect driver behaviours. Considering these issues, studies in transportation aim to improve human life and civilization by producing solutions to problems that change and increase over time. In this thesis, an intersection in the Konyaaltı District, which is very important in terms of Antalya urban traffic, has been examined. This intersection is located in the direction of Akdeniz University's south gate. This intersection, which consists of the intersection of Pınarbaşı Avenue, 732nd Street and 15th Street is a signalized controlled intersection. This region contains settlements, a primary school, a bazaar, a university and important institutions in its vicinity. Therefore, this intersection chosen as the study area is an important connection point. Heavy traffic was recorded with a camera in the morning and evening hours. With these records, traffic data related to the number of vehicles passing through the branches of this intersection, vehicle compositions, signal times, and phase plan were obtained. The data obtained about the intersection were entered into the micro-scale traffic simulation program named "PTV Vissim". Traffic data and geometric features of the intersection were modelled in the program. In order to have information about the current performance of the intersection, analyses were made through the program. Afterwards, geometric changes and changes in the signal plan were made at the intersection, and the most ideal solution for the intersection performance was tried to be obtained. As a result of the analysis made; the negative effects of the intense left turn demand at the studied intersection were determined. It was concluded that the Situation 7 proposal which is the 2-phase intersection operation where left turns are canceled within the intersection, makes the most efficient improvement to the performance of the intersection among all scenarios. With this scenario, positive reductions were obtained in the parameters of queue lengths, delay times, exhaust emissions and fuel consumption.