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Increasing Capacity of an Isolated Merge by Metering its On-Ramp

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  • Cassidy, Michael J.
  • Rudjanakanoknad, Jittichai

Abstract

Measurements taken downstream of freeway/on-ramp merges have verified that discharge flow diminishes when a merge becomes an active bottleneck. We show that metering the on-ramp can recover the higher discharge flow and thereby increase merge capacity. Detailed observations collected using video revealed that the outflow drop following activation was triggered by a queue that formed near the merge in the freeway shoulder lane and then spread laterally, as drivers changed lanes to maneuver around slow traffic. Once restrictive metering mitigated this shoulder lane queue, high outflows often returned to the median lane. Merge outflow could be increased to levels measured prior to the bottleneck activation by then relaxing the metering rate so that inflows from the on-ramp increased. Although outflows recovered in this fashion were unstable and never persisted for periods greater than 13 mins, the findings are the first real evidence that ramp metering can favorably affect the capacity of an isolated merge. The findings point to control strategies that might stabilize outflow and increase merge capacity even more.

Suggested Citation

  • Cassidy, Michael J. & Rudjanakanoknad, Jittichai, 2004. "Increasing Capacity of an Isolated Merge by Metering its On-Ramp," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt30s46939, University of California Transportation Center.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdl:uctcwp:qt30s46939
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cassidy, Michael J. & Anani, Shadi B. & Haigwood, John M., 2002. "Study of freeway traffic near an off-ramp," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 563-572, July.
    2. Daganzo, Carlos F. & Laval, Jorge & Munoz, Juan Carlos, 2002. "Ten Strategies for Freeway Congestion Mitigation with Advanced Technologies," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt4kd6v6qf, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.
    3. Haj-Salem, Habib & Papageorgiou, Marcos, 1995. "Ramp metering impact on urban corridor traffic: Field results," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 303-319, July.
    4. Cassidy, Michael J. & Bertini, Robert L., 1999. "Some traffic features at freeway bottlenecks," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 25-42, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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