The present report summarizes the results of a literature study concerning the possible extension of the applicability of the computer program `Rotonde Verkenner' (`Roundabout Explorer'). The program, which was developed in 1992, is used to study the traffic performance at roundabouts. It was developed for a limited range of applications: slow and heavy traffic were not taken into account, nor were multi-lane roundabouts. The aim of the present study was to explore the possibilities of extending the applicability of `Roundabout Explorer' with these aspects. Literature on computational models for the traffic performance was studied for the purpose, in particular for situations not taken into account in the current version of `Roundabout Explorer'. The results of the study indicate that an extension of the program is feasible. Suitable models were found for almost all situations, with only a few technical aspects left to be sorted out. Very few models, however, had already been validated for Dutch conditions. This implies that `Roundabout Explorer' should be extended only if accompanied by either a validation study, or by a most careful determination of the required additional parameters and an analysis of the impact that will result from the model's extension. (A)
Abstract