Development of a Microsimulation Model for Motorway Roadworks With Narrow Lanes

Abstract

This paper presents a newly developed microsimulation model for motorway roadwork sections to evaluate the efficiency of different temporary traffic management schemes (TTMSs) such as the use of narrow lanes, offside and inside lane closures. The effect on traffic performance of various parameters (e.g. flow rates, percentage of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), roadwork zone lengths and speed limits) has been tested. The model was built using the FORTRAN programing language. It was developed based on car-following, discretionary lane changing, mandatory lane changing, gap acceptance and narrow lanes rules. Data from four sources (including data taken from different UK motorway sites) were collected and analyzed. The data were used in the verification, calibration and validation processes of the model. Observations from motorway roadwork sites with the narrow lanes scheme show certain prominent drivers’ behaviors, namely avoiding passing HGVs traveling on adjacent lanes and lane repositioning before passing a HGV. Such behaviors were included in the modeling process which suggested that the presence of HGVs had a noticeable impact on reducing section capacity.