Abstract

Understanding the relationship between speed limit and characteristic speed of expressway traffic flow is of great significance for formulating a reasonable speed limit scheme and improving highway safety and transportation efficiency. In this study, the speed data of the same traffic flow passing through speed limits of 80, 100, and 120 km/h were continuously collected through a field test. The 85th, 15th, and 50th percentile speeds were considered the characteristic speed parameters of the traffic flow. A regression analysis was performed to establish a relationship between the characteristic speed parameters of the traffic flow and the speed limit. Under a free-flow state, the characteristic speed exhibited a strong linear relationship with the speed limit, where the variation ranges of the 85th and 50th percentile speeds were approximately consistent with that of the speed limit. However, a slight inconsistency was found for the 15th percentile speed, which was approximately half the speed limit increase; under a non-free-flow state, the correlation between the speed limit and the vehicle speed was no longer significant.

Highlights

  • IntroductionBefore setting the speed limit, the change in the actual operating speed of vehicles should be considered [1]

  • The speed limit and the operating speed have a strong correlation

  • The speed data of the same traffic flow passing through speed limits of 80, 100, and 120 km/h were collected in the field

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Summary

Introduction

Before setting the speed limit, the change in the actual operating speed of vehicles should be considered [1]. Most conventional speed limit setting methods are based on the design speed, and the operating speed is not fully considered [3,4]. Such a speed limit scheme does not meet the speed expectations of drivers. The effects of increasing the speed limit on the operational efficiency of expressways and road safety remain unclear. It is of great practical significance to study the relationship between the speed limit and the characteristic speed of expressway traffic flow

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