Modified Road Speed Models Considering Traffic Flow with and without Bus Lanes and Analysis of the Condition of Setting Bus Lanes

Abstract

In order to analyze the traffic flow performance of a road with and without the implementation of a bus-lane more accurately, this paper introduces a basic road speed model and its applicability. Then we modified the model’s formulation of car and bus by considering different traffic parameters such as car volume, bus volume, and bus-to-car ratio. We also put forth the methods used for coefficient calibration. We collected the empirical data from two three-lane, one-way road sections with and without a bus lane to calibrate the modified road speed models respectively. Comparing the different speeds between the traffic flow with and without bus lane implementation, we obtained the result that the speed varied for two distinct intervals: one with no difference and one with increased difference as the road traffic volume (saturation) changed. Furthermore, the time utility models were set up to describe the traffic volume condition of setting a bus lane. The conclusion shows that the traffic volume is lower than the traditional standard when the proportion of buses is low and vice versa. Therefore, identifying the proportion of traffic within the composition of public transportation would help refine the analysis of setting a bus lane.