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: Used in transportation planning and traffic engineering, almost traffic simulation tools have input variable values optimized by overseas traffic flow attribution because they are almost developed in overseas country. Thus, model calibration appropriated for internal traffic flow attribution is needed to improve reliability of simulation method. METHODS : In this study, the traffic flow model calibration is based on expressways. For model calibration, it needs to define each expressway link according to attribution, thus it is classified by design speed, geometric conditions and number of lanes. And modified greenshield model is used as traffic flow model. RESULTS : The result of the traffic model calibration indicates that internal congested density is lower than overseas. And the result of analysis according to the link attribution indicates that the more design speed and number of lanes increase, the lower the minimum speed, the higher the congested density. CONCLUSIONS: In the traffic simulation tool developed in overseas, the traffic flow is different as design speed and number of lanes, but road segment don't affect traffic flow. Therefore, these results need to apply reasonably to internal traffic simulation method.