Verification tests for the behavioural theory of multi-lane traffic flow at a weaving segment

Abstract

Freeway bottlenecks restrict traffic flow on freeway corridors during peak periods. Previous research claim that the pre-queue flow (PQF) shifts to the queue discharge flow (QDF) after the onset of bottleneck. The flow transition is a complicated and stochastic process. Moreover, driver behaviors differ among lanes. Previous research has been devoted to investigating the flow transition process and the two-capacity phenomenon, but there is still little insight into the effect of lane-specific driver behaviors on capacity. Therefore, this study applies the behavioral theory of multi-lane traffic flow using the peak period traffic data of a weaving segment on the Whitemud Drive, an urban freeway in the city of Edmonton, Canada. The field-measured traffic speed and gap variations on different travel lanes are analyzed to exhibit the driver behavior changes during traffic breakdown. Finally, this paper verifies the behavioral theory and proposes an extension for diverges or weaving segments. The findings provide greater insight into driver behaviors during the transition process and the resulting impact on capacity, which can provide better implications for freeway design and operation.