Traffic Impact Analysis of a Regional Shopping Center Using Microsimulation with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Approach

Abstract

In today’s modern city life, shopping centers have become a part of the urban identity. Erzincanpark Shopping Center, which was put into service at the city’s western entrance in 2022 in Erzincan, created an additional traffic volume causing inadequacies and accidents in urban transportation. This study aimed to identify these problems and inadequacies and develop possible solutions and suggestions. To examine the importance of coordination between junctions, traffic flow, and phase arrangements, Erzincanpark was chosen as the study area, and the junctions on Halitpasa Street were examined. The study used the traffic impact analysis method to examine traffic counts at junctions, signal optimization, travel time, queue length, delay, CO₂, NOx, VOC emissions, and fuel consumption values. The study results showed that Yildiz and Nedim Muratoglu junctions should be modern roundabouts to ensure the optimum situation. Furthermore, it was determined that there was no change in the parameters studied in the design of Ergan Junction in 3 different ways: signaled, 4-way (without an island), and modern roundabout. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), one of the multi-criteria decision- approaches, was used to find the feasible result, considering safety and construction costs.