Traffic Bottleneck Identification and Diagnosis, Countermeasure Prioritization, and Innovative Solutions to Local/Systemic Problems
Project Information
Project ID:
FHWA-PROJ-13-0073
Project Abstract:
In addition to intelligent transportation systems (ITS) applications mostly with connected vehicle technologies (e.g., ramp metering, active travel demand management, improved signal coordination), it is our finding that short-term, relatively simple geometric and traffic control innovations continue to relieve bottlenecks significantly in cost-effective ways. However, there is little research that separates systemic causes from operational/localized ones, as they both fall under the umbrella of "recurring" congestion. The scope of proposed activities is to confirm and/or categorize the approximate percentages or all congestion sources (in rounded numbers). It also includes the development of a new pie chart that identifies proportionate congestion as either "freeway" or "surface streets." Mostly, however, the scope is specifically defined to develop guidance solely for recurring congestion identification, vis-à-vis separating systemic and localized causes. The third step is to recommend how to focus on existing but cost-effective treatments to alleviate these two bottleneck categories and develop corresponding improvement recommendations based on land requirements and benefit/cost analysis. The fourth step is to develop or promote any innovative treatments, or conduct research using traffic simulation and driving simulator studies, and to evaluate performance improvements, feasibility, human factors adjustments, and benefit/cost analysis. Finally, the last step is to develop guidelines that provide design and operational recommendations for low-cost or cost-effective innovative treatments.
Goals:
The objectives are to develop guidance solely for recurring congestion identification by separating systemic and localized causes; to recommend using existing but cost-effective treatments to alleviate these two bottleneck categories and develop corresponding improvement recommendations based on land requirements and benefit/cost analysis; to develop or promote more innovative treatments, and conduct research using traffic simulation and driving simulator studies; to evaluate performance improvements and develop guidelines that provide design and operational recommendations for low-cost or cost-effective innovative treatments.
Research HUB ID:
7918
Project Status:
Completed
Project Funding Amount (Contract Award Amount):
$1,091,210.00
Start Date:
End Date:
Public Access Plan:
No
Laboratory:
Grant/Contract ID:
- DTFH6112D00020/T13006
FHWA Program Area:
- Operations
Fiscal Year / AMRP Program / AMRP Activity:
- FY 2002-2022 / Operations / Automation and Connectivity
Project Outputs:
Draft guidelines for congestion problem identification. [Source: FHWA, PMSS Database (2013)]
AMRP = Annual Modal Research Plan
Contact Information
Team:
Office of Safety and Operations Research and Development
Office:
Office Code:
HRSO-01
Management Organizations
Sponsor Organization
Organization Role:
Sponsor Organization
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Research, Development and Technology - Office of Safety and Operations Research and Development
Managing Organization
Organization Role:
Project Managing Organization
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Research, Development and Technology - Office of Safety and Operations Research and Development
Performing Organization
Organization Role:
Performing Organization
Organization:
Virginia Tech
Partners and Other Sponsor/Managing/Performing Organizations
Organization Role:
Partner: Advisory
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Operations - Office of Transportation Management
Organization Role:
Partner: Advisory
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Resource Center
Organization Role:
Partner: Advisory
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty - Office of Planning
Organization Role:
Partner: Advisory
Organization:
Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation Research
Deliverables
Links to Project Reports: