Traffic Flow Characteristics of the Late Merge Work Zone Control Strategy

Author(s):  
Geza Pesti ◽  
Daniel R. Jessen ◽  
Patrick S. Byrd ◽  
Patrick T. McCoy
Author(s):  
Ali H. Mashhadi ◽  
Mohammad Farhadmanesh ◽  
Abbas Rashidi ◽  
Nikola Marković

Road reconstruction and the resulting work zones are considered as a major source of traffic congestion and delays on freeways. The roadway capacity is decreased as a result of a reduced number of traffic lanes, narrower lanes, and work zone speed limits. Accurate prediction of construction work zone capacity helps traffic engineers to have a better estimation of the traffic flow characteristics. To this end, multiple methodologies have been developed to quantify the impacts of work zones on traffic flow. This paper presents a critical review of the three types of approaches to estimating construction work zone capacities, including parametric, non-parametric, and simulation. Then the most commonly considered factors and their frequency are presented. It also performs a detailed review of the approaches, their objectives, and weaknesses. Lastly, it provides recommendations for future research. The presented work could help researchers in the area of work zone capacity estimation by presenting all the previous methodologies in one place.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 384-392
Author(s):  
Jebaselwin Gladson ◽  
Kalaanidhi Sivagnanasundaram ◽  
Karthiga Kasi ◽  
Gunasekaran Karuppanan

The primary aim of this study is to support the policy decisions on selection of a work zone layout that would have least deterrence to the traffic flow on busy urban arterials carrying heterogeneous traffic. The traffic flow characteristics were recorded with two cameras and the speed variation was obtained by plying probe vehicles fitted with Global Positioning Systems (GPSs) repeatedly in the section. The traffic stream speed and capacity of the various types of work zone sections were analyzed and it is found that near side lane closure has a relatively least effect on capacity (15 %) whereas the effect of run around type closure is maximum (46 %). The reasons for the variations in speed and capacity at these types of work zones were examined and reported. Besides, the application of the study results with respect to planning of work zone layout is discussed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-289
Author(s):  
Jin Xin Cao ◽  
Xiao Han Liu

Increasing traffic demand has already reached the capacity of existing traffic facilities in most cities. In order to alleviate the traffic pressure and expand the capacity of the road network, constructing flyovers has become an effective way in most cities in China. During the period of the flyover construction, work zones occupy road space, impact traffic flow characteristics and driver behaviour; therefore, this causes a significant reduction of the capacity. Researching of the traffic flow characteristics during the period of flyover construction can improve traffic organization and traffic safety around work zones. This study analyses the traffic flow characteristics around the flyover work zone based on the site data collected in Hohhot City, China. This study shows that the traditional Logistic model for the equilibrium speed-density relationship is not applied to the traffic flow around the flyover work zone. Based on an in-depth analysis of the traffic flow characteristics and specific driver behaviours, this paper proposes an improved Logistic model to depict the equilibrium speed-density relationship around the flyover work zone. To analyse the mathematical characteristics of the speed-density relationship, this paper proposes a method to insert virtual data points into the initial data, which can make the fit curve be continuous.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 378
Author(s):  
Jong Kwan Kim

As high vessel traffic in fairways is likely to cause frequent marine accidents, understanding vessel traffic flow characteristics is necessary to prevent marine accidents in fairways. Therefore, this study conducted semi-continuous spatial statistical analysis tests (the normal distribution test, kurtosis test and skewness test) to understand vessel traffic flow characteristics. First, a vessel traffic survey was conducted in a designated area (Busan North Port) for seven days. The data were collected using an automatic identification system and subsequently converted using semi-continuous processing methods. Thereafter, the converted data were used to conduct three methods of spatial statistical analysis. The analysis results revealed the vessel traffic distribution and its characteristics, such as the degree of use and lateral positioning on the fairway based on the size of the vessel. In addition, the generalization of the results of this study along with that of further studies will aid in deriving the traffic characteristics of vessels on the fairway. Moreover, these characteristics will reduce maritime accidents on the fairway, in addition to establishing the foundation for research on autonomous ships.


Author(s):  
Åsa Enberg ◽  
Matti Pursula

The traffic-flow characteristics on an experimental, 20-km-long three-lane highway section in Finland were studied. The sections of highway that have a separate passing lane consist of three lanes. The central lane is assigned alternately to each direction as a passing lane with a length of 1.05 to 1.70 km. The lengths of the no-overtaking zones between successive passing lanes are 1.5 to 4.0 km. The traffic-flow characteristics on the three-lane highway have been observed by comprehensive before-and-after field studies and complementary simulations. Because it was possible to use passing lanes, the number of overtakings on the three-lane highway was remarkably higher than on the former two-lane highway. The overall average travel speeds were slightly higher, and the speed decreased a little more slowly with increasing flow on the three-lane compared with the two-lane highway. Overall platooning and mean platoon lengths decreased as a result of platoon dispersal on the passing lanes. The speeds used in the passing lanes were clearly higher than in the basic lanes. According to the simulation results, the optimum length for a single passing lane was between 0.5 and 2.5 km depending on flow rate and measure of effectiveness. For the actual three-lane highway conditions, passing lanes 1.0 to 1.5 km long seemed to bring the most benefits.


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