The purpose of these investigations was to determine how freeways with high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes could be simulated using the Paramics model, to evaluate the effectiveness of adding HOV lanes to an existing freeway, and to investigate the sensitivity of results to varying conditions. To represent driver behavior in the presence of contiguous HOV lanes, Paramics Modeller was used with an Application Programming Interface (API) that controls aspects of HOV driver behavior. After initial applications on a straight-pipe network, the investigations focused on applying Modeller and the API to a section of the southbound morning peak I-680 freeway in the San Francisco Bay Area. The I-680 investigations began with data collection, creation of origin-destination demands, calibration of the Paramics model to existing traffic conditions, and coding of a contiguous HOV lane onto the existing I-680 freeway in Paramics. Several scenarios were developed within the I-680 Paramics model as part of a sensitivity analysis, to assess the effects on both networks (existing and with the HOV lane addition) of altering input parameters. It was concluded that the Paramics model can be successfully calibrated to field conditions. It was also found that the Paramics model, used in conjunction with the driver behavior API, is an effective tool for modeling on-freeway contiguous HOV lanes and vehicle behavior in their presence, and can be used for evaluating the likely benefits of HOV lane implementation projects. Finally, HOV lane implementation should improve operations on the I-680 freeway section studied here.
Abstract