Work

Evaluation of Mixed Traffic Flow Efficiency and Safety on Hard-Shoulder-Running Freeways

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Most existing the freeway hard shoulder running (HSR) strategy literature only focuses on the traffic flow with human-driven vehicles (HDVs) but neglects the possible impacts of connected automated vehicles (CAVs) with various penetration rates on the macroscopic traffic flow. The purpose of this paper is to detect whether the effects of mixed traffic flow for the freeway HSR strategy differ the traditional traffic flow or not. An approach based on microscopic simulation with factorial experimental design is adopted in this study, and novel results are obtained from the discussion and statistical analyses of simulation results. The results showed that the penetration rates of CAVs have a positive influence both on the traffic efficiency and safety on freeway HSR regardless of the prevailing traffic flow conditions. Furthermore, the implementation of the HSR strategy has the potential to markedly enhance traffic efficiency across a range of varying traffic demands. However, different speed limits for the HSR can lead to varying degrees of efficiency improvement under different traffic demands. Finally, we find a complex interplay between traffic flow conditions and the impact of HSR on TTC values and overall traffic safety.

Source: Applied Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/app142311137

Authors: Ye Zhi, Zhengping Zhang, Wenhui Zhou, Dongyang Hou, Jun Zhang

Institutions: Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China, Central South University, National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation of China

Language: English

Topic: Traffic control and management

Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,728