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A capacity-increasing mechanism in freeway traffic

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  • Kim, Kwangho
  • Cassidy, Michael J.

Abstract

A reason is unveiled for the time-varying pattern in discharge flow that is commonly observed at freeway bottlenecks. We hypothesize that four known effects in freeway traffic can interact upstream of a bottleneck in ways that trigger periodic bursts in its discharge flow. Repeated observations of a 3-km freeway stretch support the hypothesis. Controlled experiments show that the capacity-increasing mechanism can be favorably modulated by metering the site’s on-ramps in an unconventional manner. The unconventional strategy repeatedly produced higher average discharge flows and shorter on-ramp queues than did a more traditional metering policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim, Kwangho & Cassidy, Michael J., 2012. "A capacity-increasing mechanism in freeway traffic," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 46(9), pages 1260-1272.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transb:v:46:y:2012:i:9:p:1260-1272
    DOI: 10.1016/j.trb.2012.06.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jin, Wen-Long, 2017. "A first-order behavioral model of capacity drop," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 438-457.
    2. Lapardhaja, Servet & Doig Godier, Jean & Cassidy, Michael J & Kan, Xingan David, 2024. "ACC, queue storage, and worrisome news for cities," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt5w46m77f, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.
    3. Jin, Wen-Long & Gan, Qi-Jian & Lebacque, Jean-Patrick, 2015. "A kinematic wave theory of capacity drop," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 316-329.
    4. Wang, Tao & Liao, Peng & Tang, Tie-Qiao & Huang, Hai-Jun, 2022. "Deterministic capacity drop and morning commute in traffic corridor with tandem bottlenecks: A new manifestation of capacity expansion paradox," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    5. Martínez, Irene & Jin, Wen-Long, 2020. "Optimal location problem for variable speed limit application areas," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 221-246.
    6. Xu, Tu & Laval, Jorge, 2020. "Statistical inference for two-regime stochastic car-following models," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 210-228.
    7. Cassidy, Michael J & Kim, Kwangho, 2015. "Spatiotemporal Studies of Traffic Phenomenon on Freeways with Limited-access Special Lanes," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt8j0585hg, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.

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