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A Queuing and Statistical Analysis of Freeway Bottleneck Formation

Author

Listed:
  • Shantanu Das
  • David Levinson

    (Nexus (Networks, Economics, and Urban Systems) Research Group, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota)

Abstract

A modified approach to treat traffic flow parameters (flow, density and speed) has been introduced in this paper. A queuing analysis has been conducted on traffic flow data on Interstate 94 in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. A methodology has been developed to calibrate loop detector count data. Corrected flow data has been subjected to analysis using queuing analysis to compute densities and speeds on freeway sections. Statistical analysis identifies 'active bottleneck' locations on freeways and sections where bottlenecks occur because of disturbances caused by downstream bottlenecks propagating backwards in the form of shockwaves. A sample of six days on Interstate 94 was considered for the analysis. Our analysis reveals that the same section cannot always be characterized as a 'bottleneck' location; at some times it is active and at others, it is subject to downstream bottlenecks. Traffic flow characteristics change and that leads to changing situations on each freeway section.

Suggested Citation

  • Shantanu Das & David Levinson, 2004. "A Queuing and Statistical Analysis of Freeway Bottleneck Formation," Working Papers 200402, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:nex:wpaper:bottleneckformation
    DOI: http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-947X(2004)130:6(787)
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chung, Koohong & Cassidy, Michael, 2002. "Testing Daganzo's Behavioral Theory for Multi-lane Freeway Traffic," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt4dt1k17h, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.
    2. Bertini, Robert L. & Cassidy, Michael J., 2002. "Some observed queue discharge features at a freeway bottleneck downstream of a merge," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 36(8), pages 683-697, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
    • R48 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government Pricing and Policy

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