Determination of Motorcycle Equivalent Unit and Road Capacity: A Case Study of Selected Road Sections of Kathmandu Valley

Abstract

The research focused on road congestion in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, caused by the prevalence of small motorized vehicles, especially motorcycles. The objective of the study was to quantify the impact of different vehicle classes on congestion by calculating Motorcycle Equivalent Units (MEU) and determining roadway capacity using speed and effective space parameters. The field data collected over two locations in Kathmandu Valley were analyzed using Speed Estimation from Video Data (SEV) software that revealed a strong correlation between vehicle speed and effective space, represented by a quadratic non-linear model. MEU values were determined for different vehicle classes, and fundamental speed-flow-density relationships were used to calculate roadway capacity. Vehicles like motorcycles, standard cars, big cars, utility, minibusses, buses, light commercial vehicles, two/three-axle trucks, and multi-axle trucks had MEU values of 1, 3.32, 4.91, 4.65, 9.22, 12.22, 6.72, 13.57 and 18.04 respectively. The study indicated peak capacities during the evening hours on specific road sections. For instance, the Gatthaghar-Kaushaltar and Balkumari-Gwarko sections reached their maximum capacities at 12,335 and 20,589 (motorcycles per hour per direction), respectively. The study emphasized the significant influence of speed on effective space and roadway capacity, suggesting further exploration of additional factors like driver characteristics, gender, age, income, road geometry, and level of service using MEU, along with the potential for developing a motorcycle simulation model in Kathmandu valley.