Currently traffic congestion and its regulation has become a major problem in most of the metropolitan cities of developing countries. The roadway width is not in pace with the increase in vehicular volume. Optimization and alternative routes play a critical role in providing better solutions than adopting conventional method of improving the signalized intersections. The outcome of the proposed solution shall be less expensive than providing interchanges in the existing situation. Design of effective traffic signal is an exigent task and evaluation of signal time will certainly help improve traffic congested locations in metropolitan cities. Very little research was performed in the evaluation of signal timing plans, especially in the context of microscopic simulation for our city.

In India, traffic congestion on urban roads has been recognized as a national problem. The average vehicular speed on urban roads streets is less than 25 kmph during the peak hours. This speed reduction will have adverse effect on countries economy. The Metropolitan city of Hyderabad is also under same situation of traffic congestion. Based on the study conducted by Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR), it is inferred that average speeds on all major corridors within the city have been dropped to 20 kmph during peak hours and the contribution of two wheelers is more than 60% in total traffic volume.

In this context, an attempt is made to study and evaluate the existing intersections by providing alternative route direction. The selected corridor is a major intersection (Bowenpally intersection) in Hyderabad city. Parameters such as delay, average and maximum queue length are evaluated through microscopic simulation techniques (VISSIM). It is observed from the existing signal timings of Bowenpally intersection and through simulation results that, the intersection has a delay of 162.5 sec. This intersection, when provided with alternative route direction for left turn traffic movements, the delay was improved to 113.9 sec.