The processing of vehicles at unsignalised intersections is a complex, highly interactive process. Each driver makes individual decisions about when, where and how to move, subject to governing traffic. Assessment of this process, and the resultant facility capacity and performance, can be greatly improved if all relevant events can be observed simultaneously. This paper focuses on a recent evolution in video technology that permits omnidirectional monitoring of such facilities. Through custom-tailored optical design, a video camera can see in all directions at once, providing complete and simultaneous facility coverage. The paper includes a description of the technology, a case study analysis of its application to a typical roundabout, and a discussion of how such instrumentation is likely to affect both future data collection and capacity analysis efforts. (A)
Abstract