Capacity Improvement of Kampala Road between Watoto Church and Mapeera House.

Abstract

Capacity of a junction directly affects the capacity of the preceding corridors upstream and downstream. This report aims at expounding on the relevance of this project and its effect on the capacities of the Watoto and Mapeera junctions. We aim at explaining the methods and procedures used in establishing the existing capacity at the junctions, and providing recommendations to improve the capacity. Peak hour values obtained on three days for both morning peak and evening peak were in the same range meaning that the vehicles that enter into the heart of the city are the same with a few are from other different roads (There was no significant change in the traffic volumes). The existing capacities at Mapeera and Watoto Junctions were obtained using peak hour volumes on the three days. The computed delay and level of services show that the junctions have failed and need improvement. Analysis of possibilities of having a roundabout, grade separation and signalising of the junctions was done and the best solution for reducing delay and increasing capacities at both junctions was determined to be traffic signals. Since the distance between the junctions was too big, there was no need to co-ordinate the designed signals. Basing on the results for the green times, the installation of traffic signals increases the capacity of the junctions effectively. From the measured veranda to veranda distances, distances from one stop line to another, lane widths and diameter of the island, the possibility of adding more lanes seemed possible as a measure of improving the geometric conditions.