PURPOSES : This study is to initiated to estimate the impact of mixed traffic flow on expressway section according to the market penetration rate(MPR) of automated vehicles(AVs) using a enhanced intelligent driver model(EIDM). METHODS : To this end, microscopic traffic simulation and EIDM were used to implement mixed traffic flow on basic expressway section and simulation network was calibrated to understand the change of impact in mixed traffic flow due to the MPR of AVs. Additionally, MOEs of mobility aspects such as average speed and travel time were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS : The result of the impact of mobility MOEs by MPR and level of service indicated that 100% MPR of AVs normally affect positive impact on expressway at all level of service. However, it was analyzed that improvements in the level of service from LOS A to C are minimal until the MPR of AVs reaches 75% or higher. CONCLUSIONS : This research shows that impact of MPR of AVs using EIDM of mixed traffic flow on basic expressway. Increasing MPR of AVs affects positive impact on expressway at all level of services. However, MPR from 25% to 75% of AVs in LOS A to C shows minimal impacts. Therefore, to maximize the effectiveness of AVs, appropriate traffic operation and management strategies are necessary.
PURPOSES : In this study, analyze the characteristics of IOC indicator 'threshold' which is needed when evaluating the traffic signal operation status with ESPRESSO in various grade road traffic environment of Seoul metropolitan city and derive suggested value to use in field practice. METHODS : Using the computerized database program (Postgresql), we extracted data with regional characteristics (Arterial, Collector road) and temporal characteristics (peak hour, non-peak hour). Analysis of variance and Duncan's validation were performed using statistical analysis program (SPSS) to confirm whether the extracted data contains statistical significance. RESULTS: The analysis period of the main and secondary arterial roads was confirmed to be suitable from 14 days to 60 days. For the arterial, it is suggested to use 20 km/h as the critical speed for PM peak hour and weekly non peak hour. It is suggested to use 25 km/h as the critical speed for AM peak hour and night non peak hour. As for the collector road, it is suggested to use 20 km/h as the critical speed for PM peak hour and weekly non peak hour. It is suggested to use 30 km/h as the critical speed for AM peak hour and night non peak hour.
CONCLUSIONS : It is meaningful from a methodological point of view that it is possible to make a reasonable comparative analysis on the signal intersection pre-post analysis when the signal operation DB is renewed by breaking the existing traffic signal operation evaluation method.
PURPOSES : This study compared two measures of traffic flow effectiveness on roads with roundabouts and signalized intersections and determined the more appropriate measure. METHODS: In addition to average delay time, the conventionally used measure, average travel time was introduced to measure traffic flow effectiveness because it is able to be obtained through field survey and reflect different travel distances and speed limits of roundabouts and signalized intersections. Using the two measures, roundabouts and signalized intersections were compared through simulations in terms of traffic flow effectiveness. RESULTS : For one-way single-lane roads, the two measures indicated consistent results that roundabouts were more effective than were signalized intersections when the traffic volume was less than 300 vphpl but vice versa when it exceeded 450 vphpl; however, the measures yielded inconsistent results when the volume was 350~400 vphpl. For one-way double-lane roads, the two measures indicated consistent results that roundabouts were more effective than were signalized intersections when the volume was less than 200 vphpl but vice versa when it exceeded 400 vphpl; however, the measures yielded inconsistent results when the volume was 250~350 vphpl. The results obtained using the two measures differed substantially for double-lane roads because behaviors such as weaving and lane changing at roundabouts are more common in double-lane roads than in single-lane roads. CONCLUSIONS : The average delay time would be lower on roads with roundabouts, but average travel time would be lower on roads with signalized intersections. Thus, evaluating the relative effectiveness of roads with roundabouts and signalized intersections by using average delay time alone would be inappropriate, whereas using average travel time as the evaluation index would yield fairer results.
PURPOSES: This study analyzed the lane-by-lane traffic flow characteristics in Korea by using real-world data, including congestion levels, for 2-, 3-, and 4-lane freeways. METHODS : On the basis of a literature review, lane flow and speed characteristics were analyzed using flow measurements and speed ratios. In addition, the effect of congestion levels on traffic flow were visualized using rescaled cumulative plots. RESULTS: Driver behavior varied depending on the congestion level. During free-flow conditions, the lane-use ratio of individual lanes varied largely, whereas during congestion, the ratio was nearly the same for all lanes (i.e., equilibrium). During maximum-flow and congestion conditions, the median lane was used more than the shoulder lane, whereas during all other conditions, the shoulder lane had a higher lane-use ratio. In 3- or 4-lane freeways, the lane-use ratio of the median lane always exceeded 1 and was the highest during free-flow conditions. CONCLUSIONS : The results of the present analysis can be used as an index to predict congestion before a lane is overcapacitated. Moreover, the results can be applied in variable lane guidance systems, such as car navigation systems and variable message displays, to control traffic flow.
PURPOSES: The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology for estimating additional carbon emissions due to freeway incidents. METHODS : As our country grows, our highway policy has mainly neglected the environmental and social sectors. However, with the formation of a national green growth keynote and an increase in the number of people interested in environmental and social issues, problems related to social issues, such as traffic accidents and congestion, and environmental issues, such as the impact of air pollution caused by exhaust gases that are emitted from highway vehicles, are beginning to be discussed. Accordingly, studies have been conducted on a variety of environmental aspects in the field of road transport, and for the quantitative calculation of greenhouse gas emissions, using various methods. However, in order to observe the effects of carbon emissions, microscopic simulations must use many difficult variables such as cost, analysis time, and ease of analysis process. In this study, additional greenhouse gas emissions that occur because of highway traffic accidents were classified by type (incident handling time, number of lanes blocked, freeway level of service), and the annual additional emissions based on incidents were calculated. According to the results, congestion length and emissions tend to increase with an increase in incident clearance time, number of occupied lanes, and worsening level of service. Using this data, we analyzed accident data on the Gyeong-bu Expressway (Yang-Jae IC - Osan IC) for a year. RESULTS : Additional greenhouse gas emissions that occur because of highway traffic accidents were classified by type (incident handling time, number of lanes blocked, freeway level of service) and annual additional emissions caused by accidents were calculated. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a methodology for estimating carbon emissions due to freeway incidents was developed that incorporates macroscopic flow models. The results of the study are organized in the form of a look-Up table that calculates carbon emissions rather easily.
PURPOSES: This study aims to suggest a proper left-turn treatment method for the bicycle traffic flow at four-legged intersections. METHODS: Four types of crossing methods are proposed and analyzed : (1) indirect left turn, (2) direct left turn, (3) direct left turn on a Bike Box, and (4) direct left turn on bike left turn lane. The VISSIM simulation tests were conducted based on forty-eight operation scenarios prepared by varying vehicle and bicycle traffic volumes. RESULTS : The results from the four-legged signalized intersections suggest that (1) the indirect left turn is appropriate when vehicle demand is high, (2) the direct left turn is efficient on most traffic situation but the safety is a concern, (3) the direct left turn on a Bike Box is appropriate when bicycle demand is high while vehicle demand is not, and (4) the direct left turn on a bike left turn lane is appropriate when both vehicle and bicycle demand are low. CONCLUSIONS : The direct left turn of bicycle provides more efficiency than the indirect left turn at the four-legged intersections but to apply the methods and to study more, advanced evaluation methods, related law, and insurance programs are needed.