Bottlenecks are key features of any freeway system and represent the emerging location for recurrent and non-recurrent traffic congestion. In Oregon, a freeway data archive known as PORTAL records volume, occupancy, and speed measurements from over 600 freeway locations every 20 seconds. This archive has enabled development of online freeway performance and reliability analysis tools. This paper describes a comparison of an automated tool for identifying recurrent freeway bottlenecks, using historical data within the framework of the data archive, with the ASDA/FOTO models based on Kerner’s three-phase traffic theory as an approach for traffic data processing. Both approaches use graphical tools to illustrate the occurrence of bottlenecks with congested patterns. Ultimately the results of this joint research will improve the prioritization of improvements and implementation of operational strategies on the freeway network, especially in cases of congested bottlenecks.
Samenvatting