01590075

Component

Preparing for every possible disruption scenario is infeasible. This study’s goal is to investigate the similarities and differences between extraordinary disruptive events and more common incidents so that agencies can identify traffic management strategies that can be applied in multiple settings. A 2011 earthquake and a tipped over boom truck (2012) provide the context. This study compares and contrasts the impacts of these two events with the more common incident in terms of demand changes, network performance, and the applicability of management strategies. Heat maps allow comparison of speed profiles. Mesoscopic simulation is used to determine the events’ network-wide impacts and to test strategies. The boom truck accident’s localized effects appear similar to incidents that block multiple freeway lanes. In contrast, the earthquake changed demand patterns, which caused widespread congestion. When the impact is a general, widespread surge in demand, such as that associated with the earthquake, demand-based strategies (e.g., carpool improvisation, demand pausing) can be more effective than capacity-based strategies. For both demand and capacity-influencing events, information-based strategies can reduce stopped and travel time. Speed-based strategies and capacity-based strategies, such as opening HOV facilities to general traffic, need to be carefully implemented.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ABR30 Standing Committee on Emergency Evacuations.

01584066

16-3927

English

21p

2016

Transportation Research Board 95th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; Maps; References; Tables

Demand; Earthquakes; Highway capacity; Highway traffic control; Service disruption; Strategic planning; Traffic incidents

Northern Virginia

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Security and Emergencies; I73: Traffic Control

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2016 Paper #16-3927

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 12 2016 5:43PM