Congestion and traffic accidents occur on the merge and diverge sections in the interchange of the freeway. Studies have been conducted to reduce the traffic delay and accidents on the merge section in the freeway since 1960s. but a study was not conducted to estimate the speed variation on the merge section construct models estimated for the speed variation and suggest the appropriate measures. The purpose of this study was to identify the traffic flow characteristics on the merge section in the freeway construct the models estimated for the speed variation on the merge section in the freeway and finally establish the appropriate measure for reduction of traffic delay and accidents on the merge section in the freeway. The following results were obtained: I) Speed variations in the urban freeway appeared to be about 3.2mph, 6.5mph and 7.4mph based on the morning peak period, afternoon peak period and 24-hours period but those in the suburban freeway appeared to be about 8.0mph, 11.1mph and 10.1mph based on the same periods respectively. So different speed reduction signs need be installed to reduce delay and accidents on the merge section in the freeway based on the areas and periods as the freeway traffic management system(FTMS). ii) These models estimated for speed variation need to be studied with the changeable message sign(CMS) technique based on the real-time data so that the traffic flow could be maximized and the traffic delay and accidents be on the merge section in the freeway as more efficient freeway traffic management system(FTMS) in the near future.

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