Modeling and simulation of traffic flow in work zone on highway

Abstract

We investigate behaviors of vehicles passing a work zone on two-lane highway. The traffic flow mathematical model is formulated based on optimal velocity model and safe lane-changing rules for two-lane traffic flow are given. The typical sketch of work zone is plotted and four posted speed limit signs are set in the work zone to control the traffic flow speed for fear of accident and congestion. Simulations are carried out to examine the lane-changing behavior and the influence on traffic flow in work zone with different number of the speed limit signs under periodic boundary conditions. The simulations show that lane-changing may lead to the congestion or collision while the more speed limit signs may reduce the risk of rear-end collision and the occurrence of the congestion in work zone.