Impact of Penetrations of Connected and Automated Vehicles on Lane Utilization Ratio

Lane Utilization Ratio (LUR), affected by lane selection behavior directly, represents the traffic distribution on different lanes of road section for a single direction. The research on LUR, especially under Penetration Conditions of Connected and Automated Vehicles (PCCAV), is not comprehensive enough. Considering the difficulty in the conduction of real vehicle experiment and data collection under PPCAV, the lane selection model based on phase-field coupling and set pair logic, which considers the full-information of lanes, was used to carry out microscopic traffic simulation. From the analysis of microsimulation results, the basic relationships between Penetration of Connected and Automated Vehicles (PCAV), traffic volume, and Lane-Changing Times, also that between PCAV, traffic volume, and LUR in the basic section of the urban expressway were studied. Moreover, the influence of driving propensity on the effect of PCAVs was also studied. The research results could enrich the traffic flow theory and provide the theoretical basis for traffic management and control.

An Improved Cellular Automaton Traffic Model Based on STCA Model Considering Variable Direction Lanes in I-VICS

In this paper, we propose an improved cellular automaton model for the traffic operation characteristics of variable direction lanes in an Intelligent Vehicle Infrastructure Cooperation System (I-VICS). According to the proposed flow of variable oriented lane operation in the I-VICS environment, the idea for the improved model has been determined. According to an analysis of different signal states, an improved STCA model is proposed, in combination with the speed induction method of I-VICS and the variable direction lane switching strategy. In the assumed regular simulation environment, the STCA and STCA-V models are simulated under different vehicular densities. The results indicated that traffic parameters such as traffic flow and average speed of the variable direction lanes in the I-VICS environment are better than those in the conventional environment according to the operating rules of the proposed model. Moreover, lane utilization increased for the same density.

Intersection Operation with Non-Traditional Dynamic Lane Scheme through Vehicle-to-Signal Connection

This paper proposes an information-based dynamic lane (IDYL) scheme for signalized intersections with exclusive left-turn phases. Similar to the tandem design, the proposed scheme aims to increase the capacity of an isolated intersection by sorting incoming vehicles based on their turning movements. Its novelty is to guide vehicles of different movements into pre-designated dynamic lanes without stopping them via pre-signal. The assumption is that vehicles themselves or their drivers have access to, and can act on, real-time signal timing information through vehicle-to-signal connection to select the correct lane to enter as they approach the intersection. A mixed integer program is proposed to optimize jointly the lane configuration, timing plan, and dynamic lane utilization for an intersection. Results from numerical and simulation experiments show that IDYL can increase the reserve capacity by more than 25% when implemented on all legs of a standard four-leg intersection, and reduce the delay by around 15% when implemented on two opposing legs. The results from this study could help traffic engineers to operate signalized intersections with dynamic lanes when vehicle-to-signal connection becomes widely available in the near future.

Evaluation of Downstream Merge Behaviors Resulting from Driver Lane Choice: A Driving Simulator Study

With the ever-increasing demand to add roadway capacity in a safe and efficient manner, the application of auxiliary through lanes (ATLs) at intersections has increased in recent years. Despite the potential capacity-related benefits, ATLs also introduce the potential for unique driver operation tactics, leading to challenging merge scenarios downstream of signalized intersections. Furthermore, the benefits of increasing capacity are only realized when drivers are making decisions that balance the utilization of the ATL and the adjacent continuous through lane. Moreover, balancing lane utilization upstream of an ATL signalized intersection may introduce an improvement in safety and operations in merging conflicts downstream. Previous research investigated the effectiveness of ATLs through microsimulation and field studies. This research employed two full-immersion driving simulation studies. The initial experiment was conducted using simulation technology to evaluate aspects of driver behavior associated with lane utilization at ATLs. Lane utilization of the ATL significantly increased when the driver was informed of the fundamental design concept, ultimately improving capacity. The second experiment was based upon the results of the initial experiment, coupled with ongoing research evaluating alternative merge signage. Specifically, the second experiment aimed to evaluate downstream merge signage that could mitigate some of the behaviors resulting from the less than optimal lane utilization for ATLs. With an emphasis on improving intersection performance, the results from this paper suggest that the implementation of alternative merging signage may lead to improved merging behavior.

Some traffic characteristics of rural roads in Iraq

Now a days, modeling traffic characteristics are very important in evaluating traffic facilitates such normal section, weaving and merging sections. Lane changing and lane utilization are important traffic characteristics that are widely studied. Therefore this study is focused on both of these. The lane changing behavior affects the capacity and safety of roads. The distribution of vehicles among lanes of roadway is important in terms of different aspects such as safety, traffic management and even the structural design of roads. Field data have been collected from different rural roads. Two types of roads were studied; two-lane section and three-lane section. The results of analysis for collected data indicate that the driver behaviour is different in terms of lane utilization in Iraq from other countries and the same behaviour was found for lane changes also. Compared to other countries, Iraq has the lowest lane utilization and highest frequency of lane changes. These data are urgently needed nowadays for calibrating and validating the sophisticated programs such as simulated microscopic programs. These data are so important to mimic the reality for driver behaviors in rural roadways.

Optimizing and Modeling Tollway Operations Using Microsimulation: Case Study Sanand Toll Plaza, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

This study aimed to develop a microsimulation model for optimizing toll plaza operations in relation to operational cost and level of service for users. A well-calibrated and validated simulation model was developed in PTV Vissim, and several scenarios were simulated to test their efficacy at improving toll plaza operations. Data collected included classified entry traffic volume at the toll plaza, service time for different payment categories, percentage of lane utilization, and travel time while crossing the toll plaza. For modeling lane selection for vehicles, the PTV Vissim component object model application programming interface—which enables dynamic route choice—was used. From the results it was observed that the simulation model accurately represented the current operations at the toll plaza. Scenarios, such as implementing a number plate recognition technology and segregating lanes for different vehicle types to improve the level of service, were evaluated with the simulation model.

Proposed Framework for Evaluating Spillback in the Highway Capacity Manual

Procedures detailed in the Highway Capacity Manual 2010 (HCM 2010) estimate capacity and several operational measures dictating level of service for freeway facilities and surface streets. However, these methods do not consider cases in which spillback occurs from one facility type to another. The queuing effects in oversaturated conditions as they propagate upstream onto a freeway main line or a surface street intersection are not accounted for. The objective of this paper is to propose a series of modifications to enhance the HCM 2010 methods to address spillback conditions. These modifications consider lane utilization and lane blockage under spillback conditions and consist of restructuring existing equations and reference tables as well as developing new procedures. A four-regime method is proposed for evaluating spillback effects from urban streets to diverge and weaving segments. In addition, a method is proposed to account for the spillback effects from freeway on-ramps by reducing the effective green time as a proportion of the percent of time that the queue is expected to block the upstream signalized intersection. The framework developed uses assumptions that should be further explored through an extensive, nationwide data collection effort.

Lane Utilization Model Development for Diverging Diamond Interchanges

The diverging diamond interchange (DDI), also known as the double crossover diamond interchange, has been a successful, if unconventional, solution used in many parts of the United States ever since its first installation in Springfield, Missouri, in June 2009. One of the challenges to agencies in planning and operating DDIs is to apply to them methodologies developed for a conventional diamond interchange. The Highway Capacity Manual 2010 (HCM 2010) provides lane use analysis models for various lane configurations. However, there is no guarantee that these models will work for DDIs. For this reason, 11 DDIs were studied nationwide ( a) to examine whether the current HCM lane use models provided accurate results for DDIs and ( b) to develop new lane use models for them if the HCM models did not work. As a result of the study, unique multiregime lane utilization models were proposed, separated by the number of approach lanes and validated by field data not used in the model development.

EFFECT OF ROAD SURFACE DEFORMATIONS ON LATERAL LANE UTILIZATION AND LONGITUDINAL DRIVING BEHAVIOURS

Various road surface deformations generally occur on urban and rural roads due to infrastructure, superstructure deficiencies and excessive heavy vehicle loads. In addition to driver-based errors, many accidents happen due to these mentioned surface deformations. This study aims to present lateral lane utilization and longitudinal driving behaviours on a two-lane deformed road. The effect of deformation on the tendency of drivers’ lane selection, lane utilization, and the movement in traffic flow will also be determined. For this purpose, parameters such as lateral position, speed, acceleration/deceleration and location data of vehicles travelling through four different deformation zones on a two-lane road in Izmir (Turkey), were collected. Based on the fact that in ideal conditions, distribution of lateral positions of vehicles in a lane is similar to normal distribution. The collected data was evaluated with chi-square (χ2) goodness of fit test to see if they are fit to normal distribution or not. This study concluded that if a deformation zone has wider area and less depth, it will be less effective on lateral lane utilization of vehicles. It was also obtained from the results that variation in other parameters such as deformation type, depth and height are associated with the lateral lane utilization of drivers. Additionally, the drivers’ characteristics such as perception and aggressiveness are seen as the most important factors influencing the longitudinal vehicle behaviours while passing through the deformation zones.