A Theoretical Approach For Minimizing Expressway Peak Period Delays At Urban Locations

Abstract

Peak period delays at urban and suburban expressway locations is a major traffic engineering challenge for the last few decades. This paper recognize the magnitude, cost, comprehensiveness, and complexity of the issue. It concludes with a conceptual approach and recommendations for minimizing peak period delays. A multi-dimensional, multi-level analysis approach was considered. The complexity of the issue arises from analyzing the driver* disaggregate and aggregate behaviors in trying to minimize their delay time. The main goal is to minimize expressway peak period delays at urban and suburban locations. A combination of measures were analyzed, including regulated expressway selected ramp closures, and ramp metering techniques. Traffic surveillance and continuous monitoring are used to update the computations of ramp closure parameters, ramp metering rates, and the determination of alternative routes that encounter the least delay at a particular time. The analysis focus on maintaining an optimum speed flow that minimize delay time and at the same time marginally effects the utilization of capacity of the expressway. In pursuit of the main goal, objectives such as reduction of delay to nonrecurring incidents, reduction of running cost, and reduction of pollution emission are attained. In addition, indirect benefits ranging from influencing travel demand to increasing the attractiveness of a metropolitan area may all be visualized.