This paper describes a microscopic traffic simulation model of an interstate work zone. This is a typical rural interstate highway work zone where two lanes are reduced to one lane in the work zone. This type of lane closure is common and, as traffic volumes build, a lane reduction creates congestion and results in vehicles queuing upstream from the lane merger. The purpose of the simulation model is to assist in the evaluation of capacity enhancement and traffic management strategies to mitigate congestion caused by work zones lane reductions. The paper provides an example of the evaluation of a new traffic management technology, the Indiana Lane Merge System (ILMS), and discusses how the model could be utilized to evaluate other traffic management and capacity enhance strategies. (A*)
Abstract