Impact of Rainfall Condition on Traffic Flow and Speed: A Case Study in Johor and Terengganu

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nordiana Mashros ◽  
Johnnie Ben- Edigbe ◽  
Sitti Asmah Hassan ◽  
Norhidayah Abdul Hassan ◽  
Nor Zurairahetty Mohd Yunus

This paper explores the impact of various rainfall conditions on traffic flow and speed at selected location in Terengganu and Johor using data collected on two-lane highway. The study aims to quantify the effect of rainfall on average volume, capacity, mean speed, free-flow speed and speed at capacity. This study is important to come out with recommendation for managing traffic under rainfall condition. Traffic data were generated using automatic traffic counters for about three months during the monsoon season. Rainfall data were obtained from nearest surface rain gauge station. Detailed vehicular information logged by the counters were retrieved and processed into dry and various rainfall conditions. Only daylight traffic data have been used in this paper. The effect of rain on traffic flow and speed for each condition were then analysed separately and compared. The results indicated that average volumes shows no pronounce effect under rainfall condition compared to those under dry condition. Other parameters, however, show a decrease under rainfall condition. Capacity dropped by 2-32%, mean speed, free-flow speed and speed at capacity reduced by 3-14%, 1-14% and 3-17%, respectively. The paper recommends that findings from the study can be incorporated with variable message sign, local radio and television, and variable speed limit sign which should help traffic management to provide safer and more proactive driving experiences to the road user. The paper concluded that rainfall irrespective of their intensities have impact on traffic flow and speed except average volume.

Author(s):  
Sawanpreet Singh Dhaliwal ◽  
Xinkai Wu ◽  
John Thai ◽  
Xudong Jia

A number of studies in the past quantified the effect of rain on traffic parameters but were limited to wet areas. This research expands the literature by studying the effect of rain in a dry area such as Southern California and considering regional differences in the impact. Traffic data (loop detectors) and precipitation data (rain gauges) from the Los Angeles, California, metropolitan area were analyzed to access the effect of rain on traffic stream parameters such as free-flow speed, speed at capacity, and capacity. Rainfall events were categorized as light, medium, and heavy as discussed in the 2010 Highway Capacity Manual. Density plots and fundamental diagrams for rain types proved that free-flow speed, speed at capacity, and capacity were reduced by 5.7%, 6.91%, and 8.65%, respectively, for light rain; 11.71%, 12.34%, and 17.4%, respectively, for medium rain; and 10.22%, 11.85%, and 15.34%, respectively, for heavy rain. The reductions for free-flow speed were lower, whereas for speed at capacity and for capacity, they were higher than those reported in the 2010 manual. Moreover, headway increased during rain; this finding shows cautious driving behavior. Multiplicative weather adjustment factors were computed to compensate for the loss of speed and capacity. Also demonstrated was the spatial and temporal effect of rain on traffic. Downstream traffic was not much affected by a rainfall event, whereas the upstream traffic was negatively affected. This study is expected to support weather-responsive traffic management strategies for dry areas.


1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 760-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Al-Kaisy ◽  
J A Stewart ◽  
M Van Aerde

Freeway diverge areas, and particularly those in the proximity of exit ramps, are often viewed as potential bottlenecks in freeway operations. The existing diverge procedures within the 1994 and 1997 Highway Capacity Manual updates are limited in that they do not provide a direct estimate of freeway capacity nor do they model performance at oversaturated traffic conditions. Moreover, a parallel investigation on these procedures revealed some inconsistencies in predicting measures of performance at those critical areas. This paper describes the use of computer traffic simulation to explore the patterns of capacity and operational performance behaviour at these areas under the impact of some key geometric and traffic variables. For this purpose, the microscopic traffic simulation model INTEGRATION was selected to conduct an extensive experimental work on a typical ramp-freeway diverge section. Five control variables were investigated, namely, total upstream demand, off-ramp demand, length of deceleration lane, off-ramp free-flow speed, and number of lanes at mainline. The impact of upstream or downstream ramps is considered beyond the scope of this research. Except for off-ramp free-flow speed, the impact of other control variables on capacity and operational performance was shown to be significant. Also, the simulated trends of traffic behaviour showed considerable agreement with logic and expectations in light of the current state of knowledge on freeway operations.Key words: freeways, diverge, capacity, operations, traffic simulation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Othman Che Puan ◽  
Muttaka Na’iya Ibrahim ◽  
Usman Tasiu Abdurrahman

There exists a need to evaluate the performance indicator that reflects the current level of service (LOS) of the subject facility to justify any decision making on expenditures to be made for improving the performance level of a road facility. Free-flow speed (FFS) is one of the key parameters associated with LOS assessment for two-lane highways. Application of a more realistic approach for assessing road’s performance indicators would result in better estimates which could in turn suggest the most appropriate decision to be made (for situations where upgrading is needed); especially, in terms of finance, materials and human resources. FFS is the driver’s desired speed at low traffic volume condition and in the absence of traffic control devices. Its estimation is significant in the analysis of two-lane highways through which average travel speed (ATS); an LOS indicator for the subject road class is determined. The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) 2010 offers an indirect method for field estimation of FSS based on the highway operating conditions in terms of base-free-flow-speed (BFFS). It is however, recommended by the same manual that direct field FSS measurement approach is most preferred. The Malaysian Highway Capacity Manual (MHCM) established a model for estimating FFS based on BFFS, the geometric features of the highway and proportion of motorcycles in the traffic stream. Estimating FFS based on BFFS is regarded as an indirect approach which is only resorted to, if direct field measurement proved difficult or not feasible. This paper presents the application of moving car observer (MCO) method for direct field measurement of FFS. Data for the study were collected on six segments of two-lane highways with varying geometric features. FFS estimates from MCO method were compared with those based on MHCM model. Findings from the study revealed that FFS values from MCO method seem to be consistently lower than those based on MHCM model. To ascertain the extent of the difference between the FFS values from the two approaches, student t-statistics was used. The t-statistics revealed a P–value of less than 0.05 (P < 0.05) which implies that there is a statistically significant difference between the two sets of data. Since MCO method was conducted under low traffic flow (most desired condition for field observation), it can be suggested that MCO estimates of FFS represent the actual scenario. A relationship was therefore developed between the estimates from the two methods. Thus, if the MHCM model is to be applied, the measured value needs to be adjusted based on the relationship developed between the two approaches.


Author(s):  
Shradha S. Zanjad

A flyover is a bridge constructed along an intersecting highway over an at-grade intersection. It allows two –direction traffic to flow at free flow speed on the bridge. The flyover is one of the methods for solving traffic problems at at-grade junctions on highways including capacity, congestion, long delay and queue length. Traffic signalization at the upgraded intersection often uses the same fixed time control plans, even after the installation of a flyover over the intersection. Most of the flyovers in India are constructed at the junctions on highway bypasses of big cities. The present work deals with a efficient scheduling of flyover at the grade intersection under the mixed traffic environment. From the results and the modeling carried out in the “SIDRA Intersection” software different points are observed. The present work consists of the Proposed Intersection at Rajkamal Square, Amravati.


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-106
Author(s):  
Gito SUGIYANTO

Traffic congestion is one of the significant transport problems in many cities in developing countries. Increased economic growth and motorization have created more traffic congestion. The application of transportation demand management like congestion pricing can reduce congestion, pollution and increase road safety. The aim of this research is to estimate the congestion pricing of motorcycles and the effect of a congestion pricing scheme on the generalized cost and speed of a motorcycle. The amount of congestion pricing is the difference between actual generalized cost in traffic jams and in free-flow speed conditions. The analysis approach using 3 components of generalized costs of motorcycle: vehicle operating, travel time and externality cost (pollution cost). The approach to analyze the pollution cost is marginal-health cost and fuel consumption in traffic jams and free-flow speed conditions. The value of time based on Gross Regional Domestic Product per capita in Yogyakarta City in October 2012. The simulation to estimate the effect of congestion pricing using Equilibre Multimodal, Multimodal Equilibrium-2 (EMME-2) software. The results of this study show that while the free-flow speed of a motorcycle to the city of Yogyakarta is 42.42 km/h, with corresponding generalized cost of IDR1098 per trip, the actual speed in traffic jams is 10.77 km/h producing a generalized cost of IDR2767 per trip, giving a congestion pricing for a motorcycle of IDR1669 per trip. Based on the simulation by using EMME-2, the effect of congestion pricing will increase on vehicle speed by 0.72 to 8.11 %. The highest increase of vehicle speed occurred in Malioboro Street at 2.26 km/h, while the largest decrease occurred in Mayor Suryotomo Street at north-south direction at 1.07 km/h. Another effect of this application for motorcycles users will decrease the generalized cost by 1.09 to 6.63 %.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Lovrić ◽  
Dražen Cvitanić ◽  
Deana Breški

Free flow speed is used as a parameter in transportation planning and capacity analysis models, as well as speed-flow diagrams. Many of these models suggest estimating free flow speed according to measurements from similar highways, which is not a practical method for use in B&H. This paper first discusses problems with using these methodologies in conditions prevailing in B&H and then presents a free flow speed evaluation model developed from a comprehensive field survey conducted on nine homogeneous sections of state and regional roads.


2012 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 628-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario De Luca ◽  
Renato Lamberti ◽  
Gianluca Dell’Acqua
Keyword(s):  

2019 ◽  
Vol 276 ◽  
pp. 03018
Author(s):  
Nahry Yusuf ◽  
Ismi Dilianda Wulandari

Freight vehicle access restriction policy in 2011 has had an impact on the performance of Jakarta Intra Urban Toll way (JIUT) system. The statutory segment (Cawang-Tomang) of this toll road system seems to have better performance, but not for the advisory segment (Cawang -Ancol). Basically, heavy vehicles (HV) shift their routes to the advisory segment to avoid the statutory segment at which they are prohibited to access from 05.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.. This study aims to investigate the impact of the HV composition on the traffic performance of the advisory segment of JIUT. Data were obtained from 48 hours of traffic recording at a part of Cawang-Ancol segment. It was found that the Underwood Model (exponential model) can represent the relationship between the three main parameters of traffic flow on the advisory segment, i.e. volume, speed, and density. Based on the developed traffic flow models which are classified on the HV composition, it is shown that the free flow speed (uf) for HV composition < 6% (i.e. 144.91 km/h) is higher 35.41% than the one of HV > 6% (i.e. 107.02 km/h). The actual road capacity (qm) in HV composition < 6% (i.e. 4442 pcu/hour) also higher 12.83% than the one of HV > 6% (i.e. 3937 pcu/hour). The results will benefit to the transport authority to justify the truck access restriction implementation.


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