Macroscopic Modeling and Scenario Evaluation of Internal Traffic Circulation at a Large University Campus

Universities are complex spatial systems where the interaction of mobility demand, land-use patterns and internal circulation networks takes place. In recent decades, the increased motorization and pressures of urban development have transformed traffic on campus, resulting in conflicts between motorized and non-motorized users and undermining traditional circulation designs. The paper presents an evaluation of the internal road network of the Politehnica Bucharest Campus, in order to assess the circulation efficiency and the possibilities to organize it, considering the increasing traffic demand. The study is based on multi-tiered modelling and empirical traffic data. The traffic demand is estimated by a synthetic gravity-based origin-destination model linking access points to the main functional zones of the campus. Graph theory is used to structure the internal road network for scenario partitioning. The analysis of dynamic traffic behavior uses a macroscopic simulation model that focuses on the network-level density, speed and flow relationships, a Greenshields-type speed-density formulation, and deterministic parking search and transit cohorts. Simulation results show that the internal network is underutilized at the existing demand levels, with low densities and insignificant delays. Simulations show that moderate growth in demand can cause increases in density and degradation of performance due to delays. These improvements are obtained thanks to structural and organizational interventions, such as network permeability and one-way circulation systems, which overcome the heavy demand. Some ways of managing traffic flow that don’t involve building new infrastructure can reduce congestion, the study says.