Queue length estimation at metered freeway‐to‐freeway connectors

• DOI: 10.1002/atr.1436
• Publication Date: 2016-12-14T17:48:47Z
• Authors: Guangchuan Yang; Zong Tian; Hao Xu; Daobin Wang
• Keywords: Metering mode

Summary Freeway‐to‐freeway connector metering is a cost‐effective and proven freeway management strategy for relieving recurrent congestion. However, one of the critical challenges in design operation freeway‐to‐freeway lack up‐to‐date queue storage length guidance. In this study, it was found that ramp dynamically related to rate, on‐ramp demand, traffic flow arrival pattern. Hence, simply using an average demand cannot provide accurate estimation also not suitable where maximum or percentile generally used. A mesoscopic simulation model developed based on input–output method estimating lengths under various demand‐to‐capacity ratio scenarios. Simulation results indicate under‐saturated situations, may exist temporally due random short‐term surge arrivals, exponential function could best capture relationship between ratio. For over‐saturated tends prolong linearly with Based simulation, recommended be designed as 4.3% when lower than 1200 vph 2.3% 2400 vph. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.