The long term traffic and transport policy of the Netherlands has been laid down in the Second Transport Structure Plan (SVV-II). In this plan a new policy theme has been introduced: Traffic control, which purpose is to guarantee optimal use of the existing infrastructure. A set of potential so called "utilisation measures" has been drawn up, but there is hardly any insight in the effectiveness of some of the measures. A study has been done on the effectiveness of two utilisation measures with the help of the microscopic simulation model called FOSIM (Freeway Operations SIMualation). The two utilisation measures are: (1) prohibition for trucks to overtakeon motorways; and (2) exclusion of trucks during congestion on motorways. The main conclusions based on the simulation with FOSIM can be summarized as follows: The prohibition for trucks to overtake has hardly any effect on the free-flow capacity, and the exclusion of trucks during congestion has a substantial positive effect on the queue discharge capacity (expressed in veh/hr).
Abstract