ENCIV 7060 | Road And Traffic Engineering | Information technology

Funding has been received to construct a new freeway section to relieve the congestion on an existing freeway section. Construction of the new freeway will begin this year and is expected to take a minimum of three years to complete. In the interim, the authorities have decided to evaluate the most congested section of the existing freeway for immediate improvements that would keep traffic flow at less than capacity on this section while the new freeway is under construction. You are given the task of determining the most economical improvements for the existing freeway, so that operations do not exceed capacity for the next several years. This 1000 m section of existing freeway has the following characteristics:

• an interchange density of 1 per km

• design speeds of 90 km/h on the upgrade and 100 km/h on the downgrade

• carries 1280 vehicles per hour during the peak hour (in one direction) on a grade of 5%
• four asphalt-paved lanes (two in each direction)

• 7m lanes with 0.3m right shoulder lateral clearance to a concrete barrier, a 1.2m median with a concrete barrier
• PHF = 0.85

• 5% trucks, 4% buses

• the total right-of-way consists of 21.8m

                                                                                                   

After completing the required analysis, you are to present your calculations and proposals in a report that includes, at a minimum,

• a summary of existing conditions and LOS,

• a description of when the freeway will reach capacity with no improvements,

• a list of possible improvements and the respective effects on LOS, an

• your recommended improvement(s), supported by calculations where possible. Your report is expected to answer the following questions with sufficient justification.

• 1. What is the existing LOS on this 1000m section of freeway?

2. Given that the anticipated rate of annual growth in traffic volume in the area is expected to be 18%, what will the LOS be in three years?
3. What are possible improvements that can be made to the existing freeway to delay capacity flow conditions for three years, given that the existing right-of-way cannot be expanded?

This assessment can be done in a pair if you chose to do, but not a requirement.

Assessment criteria

This work will be assessed based on clarity and accuracy of the calculation, accuracy and appropriateness of any assumptions made, validity of recommendations made and their justification, completeness of the report and the standard of presentation