Determination of Follow-Up Headway of Local Drivers at Urban Multilane Roundabouts in Gombe Metropolis

Abubakar Baraya; Ahmad Batari; Muttaka Na'iya Ibrahim

doi:10.70028/dcea.v3i2.121

Authors

Abubakar Baraya Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, P.M.B 0248, Bauchi, Nigeria Author
Ahmad Batari Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, P.M.B 0248, Bauchi, Nigeria Author
Muttaka Na'iya Ibrahim Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bayero University, P.M.B 3011, Kano, Nigeria Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70028/dcea.v3i2.121

Keywords:

Headway, Urban, Roundabout, Heterogeneous, Traffic, Multilane

Abstract

Accurate estimation of follow-up headway is fundamental for the operational analysis of urban roundabouts, especially in regions with heterogeneous traffic. This study presents a field-based approach to determining follow-up headway at three typical multilane roundabouts in Gombe metropolis, Nigeria, utilizing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) video surveys and rigorous manual data extraction. The 50th percentile method was applied to determine operational headway values for each roundabout. The results indicate a mean follow-up headway of 2.01 seconds, with site-specific values of 2.02 seconds (Central Roundabout), 2.20 seconds (Dukku Park Roundabout), and 1.80 seconds (Union Bank Roundabout), reflecting the combined influence of local geometry, driver behavior, and traffic composition. Variability between the sites highlights the importance of local context, as geometric complexity and the traffic characteristics affect headway selection. These findings reinforce the limitations of adopting foreign default values for capacity analysis in Nigerian settings. The study recommends adopting locally measured parameters in the capacity analysis of roundabouts with simulation and analytical tools such as the Highway Capacity Manual Models. The empirical results provide evidence-based direction for roundabout design and policy in rapidly urbanizing African cities.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

G. Chun, N. M. Rouphail, and R. Akçelik, “Roundabout capacity survey method using vehicle trajectory data and gap acceptance,” Transportation Research Record, vol. 2679, no. 10, 2025, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/03611981251346180.

M. Hassan, A. Al Nafees, S. S. Shraban, H. D. Mahin, A. Paul, and A. H. Ki, “A comprehensive review on the impact of gap parameters for multiple types of roundabouts in different traffic conditions,” International Journal of Integrated Engineering, vol. 16, no. 9, pp. 1–20, 2024, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.30880/ijie.2024.16.09.001.

A. Ahmed, A. Ahmed, S. F. A. Rizvi, and F. Ahmad, “Modelling merging behaviour of drivers in heterogeneous traffic at roundabouts,” European Transport/Trasporti Europei, no. 98, pp. 1–16, 2024, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.48295/ET.2024.98.8.

M. L. Tumminello, E. Macioszek, and A. Granà, “Insights into simulated smart mobility on roundabouts: Achievements, lessons learned, and steps ahead,” Sustainability, vol. 16, no. 10, p. 4079, 2024, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su16104079.

P. T. Adeke, A. Etika, and A. A. Atoo, “Capacity and performance assessment of Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi Metropolis: A comparative study using ARCADY and SIDRA Intersection software,” Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 309–320, 2020.

H. Mirzahossein, F. Safari, and E. Hassannayebi, “Estimation of highway capacity under environmental constraints versus conventional traffic flow criteria: A case study of Tehran,” Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering (English Edition), vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 751–761, 2021, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtte.2020.04.006.

Transportation Research Board, Highway Capacity Manual: A Guide for Multimodal Mobility Analysis, Vol. 3: Interrupted Flow, 6th ed. Washington, DC, USA: Transportation Research Board, 2016. [Online]. Available: www.trb.org

Transportation Research Board, Highway Capacity Manual: A Guide for Multimodal Mobility Analysis, Vol. 4: Applications Guide, 7th ed. Washington, DC, USA: National Academies Press, 2022. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.17226/26432.

S. Mathew, A. Dhamaniya, S. S. Arkatkar, and G. Joshi, “Roundabout capacity in heterogeneous traffic condition: Modification of HCM equation and calibration,” Transportation Research Procedia, vol. 27, pp. 985–992, 2017, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2017.12.147.

A. Barchański and R. Zochowska, “Estimation of critical gaps and follow-up times at median uncontrolled T-intersection,” Archives of Transport, vol. 60, no. 4, pp. 105–124, 2021, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0015.6030.

C. Bari and A. Dhamaniya, “Reduction in entry capacity of roundabout under the influence of pedestrians in mixed traffic conditions,” Communications—Scientific Letters of the University of Žilina, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. D201–D214, 2022, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.26552/com.C.2022.4.D201-D214.

H. K. M. Ali and H. M. Majid, “Comparative evaluation of roundabout capacities methods for single- and multi-lane roundabout,” Journal of Engineering, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 76–97, 2023.

N. M. Karimov, J. T. Pirov, and A. Y. Mikhaylov, “Critical headway and follow-up time analysis at two-lane roundabouts,” E3S Web of Conferences, vol. 403, pp. 1–11, 2023, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202340307015.

N. M. Karimov and A. Y. Mikhaylov, “Development of a method for assessing the capacity of multi-lane roundabout intersections with traffic priority on the ring,” Vestnik SibADI, vol. 20, no. 5, pp. 600–617, 2023, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.26518/2071-7296-2023-20-5-600-617.

N. M. Karimov, J. T. Pirov, and A. Y. Mikhaylov, “Critical headway and follow-up time analysis at two-lane roundabouts,” E3S Web of Conferences, vol. 403, pp. 1–11, 2023, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202340307015.