Assessment and Improvement of Urban Traffic Performance in Gulshan 2, Dhaka, Using PTV Vissim

Abstract

This study looks at ways to reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka’s Gulshan-2 area using PTV Vissim microsimulation. Researchers collected real-world data from the intersection and 12 road segments over three weeks through field surveys and video analysis. The initial analysis showed heavy congestion, with vehicles delayed an average of 92.3 seconds and taking 714.6 seconds to travel during peak hours. To address this, the team tested reducing the signal cycle time from 45 to 30 seconds and adding four service roads. These changes led to a 38.5% drop in delay, a 30.1% decrease in travel time, a 42-meter shorter queue, and a 27% increase in vehicle throughput. The results were checked for accuracy using LPR data and manual counts. Overall, the findings suggest that combining infrastructure improvements with better signal timing can make traffic flow much more efficiently in busy urban areas like Dhaka, helping guide future policy and planning.