Abstract
Express lanes (ELs) implementation is a proven strategy to deal with freeway traffic congestion. Dynamic toll pricing schemes effectively achieve reliable travel time on ELs. The primary inputs for the typical dynamic pricing algorithms are vehicular volumes and speeds derived from the data collected by sensors installed along the ELs. Thus, the operation of dynamic pricing critically depends on the accuracy of data collected by such traffic sensors. However, no previous research has been conducted to explicitly investigate the impact of sensor failures and erroneous sensors’ data on toll computations. This research fills this gap by examining the effects of sensor failure and faulty detection scenarios on ELs tolls calculated by a dynamic pricing algorithm. The paper’s methodology relies on applying the dynamic toll pricing algorithm implemented in the field and utilizing the fundamental speed-volume relationship to ‘simulate’ the sensors’ reported data. We implemented the methodology in a case study of ELs on Interstate-95 in Southeast Florida. The results have shown that the tolls increase when sensors erroneously report higher than actual traffic demand. Moreover, it has been found that the accuracy of individual sensors and the number of sensors utilized to estimate traffic conditions are critical for accurate toll calculations.
Highlights
The last few decades have seen a constant increase in traffic congestion in urban areas, primarily driven by the growth in travel demand
One of the applications of road congestion pricing is the implementation of high occupancy toll (HOT) and express-toll lanes
If a toll increases after a driver enters the express lanes, the driver still pays only the toll that was shown on the sign when they entered the Express lanes (ELs)
Summary
The last few decades have seen a constant increase in traffic congestion in urban areas, primarily driven by the growth in travel demand. Traffic congestion has numerous negative impacts on society, including unnecessary delays, increased commuting times, excessive fuel consumption, air pollution, and other externalities [1]. Depending on the context and causes of traffic congestion, various strategies have been developed and implemented to mitigate its adverse effects. One strategy for dealing with traffic congestion on freeways is to apply road congestion pricing [2]. One of the applications of road congestion pricing is the implementation of high occupancy toll (HOT) and express-toll lanes. Such lanes are generally implemented to achieve an improved operational condition on a highway
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