Analysis of traffic flow due to lane changes by heavy vehicles

Abstract

The transportation of goods via heavy vehicles (HV) plays a crucial role in urban economics. However, the operational and physical characteristics of these vehicles negatively impact traffic flow, leading to reduced speeds and increased congestion. This study examines the influence of HV lane changes on average traffic speed by implementing diverse lane change intensities and alternative strategies that restrict HV to specific lanes, narrowing their lane-changing space. Five HV classes based on axle count were analyzed using Vissim traffic simulation software on a 600 m JORR toll road segment. Three strategies were assessed across various scenarios, with differing HV composition percentages. Results show that HV lane changes, simulated using Vissim, significantly affect average traffic speed. Comparing high and low-intensity lane changes revealed an approximately 12% speed increase. Additionally, every 5% increment in HV composition led to an average 3% traffic speed reduction. In high-density conditions for every 5% increase in the composition of HV from high-intensity compared to medium and low-intensity lane changes, the average speed of traffic flow increases by 4% and 8% in low-density conditions. This research highlights the importance of enforcing designated lane usage for HV on toll roads to enhance traffic flow performance.