A Simulation-Based Optimization Method for Truck-Prohibit Ramp Placement along Freeways

Abstract

The increasing number of trucks has a negative impact pertinent to efficiency and safety concerns on the operation of mixed traffic flow along freeways, especially at freeway entrance and exit ramps. To address such issue, this study proposes a simulation-based method for truck-prohibit ramp placement along freeways. The method framework contains two parts: the first part is to generate a set of new truck restriction schemes using simulation experiments, and the second part is to evaluate the generated schemes and find out the current optimal location of truck-prohibit ramps based upon the AHP-TOPSIS method. Three patterns of evaluation indicators are utilized to estimate the performance of freeway service in terms of traffic efficiency, road safety, and accessibility. A case study of the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao freeway within Henan Province, China, is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. Results could provide beneficial insights on the optimal location setting of truck-prohibit ramps to enhance the entire performance of mixed traffic flow along freeways.