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Title:

Evaluation of the Minnesota Queue Warning System, MN-QWARN

Accession Number:

01763967

Record Type:

Component

Abstract:

Oscillations in traffic, also known as shockwaves, usually lead to reduced efficiency of traffic systems and introduce dangerous traffic conditions that are very likely to result in crashes. On freeway systems, such disturbances can produce crash-prone traffic conditions (CPCs). An analysis of traffic patterns during CPCs was performed and the signature of CPCs was traced through time and space from actual crashes. This study utilizes a multi-metric approach that creates a high-dimensional representation for traffic conditions with a high level of detail. A continuous measurement of crash probability is estimated based on this high dimensional representation. The crash probability estimate is incorporated in a real-time queue warning algorithm to provide consistent decisions of what, if any, warning message to communicate to the drivers. In collaboration with the Minnesota DOT, the developed Minnesota Queue Warning system (MN-QWARN), was integrated with the IRIS traffic management system, and implemented at a high crash frequency section of I-94 in Minneapolis. This paper summarizes the MN-QWARN algorithm and presents results from the first two years of the system’s operation. Based on extensive collection and analysis of ground truth data, it is shown that following the implementation of MN-QWARN, the freeway experienced approximately a 49% reduction of vehicle collisions and an 82% reduction in near-crash events. It should be noted that there was a 12% reduction in demand between the before and after periods so some of this benefit is also attributed to a reduction in congestion.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ACP20 Standing Committee on Freeway Operations.

Report/Paper Numbers:

TRBAM-21-04057

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

Authors:

Hourdos, John
Duhn, Melissa
Liu, Zhejun
Parikh, Gordon

Pagination:

16p

Publication Date:

2021

Conference:

Transportation Research Board 100th Annual Meeting

Location: Washington DC, United States
Date: 2021-1-5 to 2021-1-29
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board; Transportation Research Board

Media Type:

Digital/other

Features:

Figures; Photos; References; Tables

Geographic Terms:

Minneapolis (Minnesota); Minnesota

Subject Areas:

Data and Information Technology; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors

Source Data:

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2021 Paper #TRBAM-21-04057

Files:

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

Dec 23 2020 11:16AM