Abstract:
TRAFFIC FLOWING THROUGH THE SOUTH TUBE OF THE HOLLAND TUNNEL FREQUENTLY SHOWS AN ACCORDION-LIKE ACTION WHEN THERE IS MORE TRAFFIC THAN THE TUBE CAN HANDLE. EXPERIMENTAL WORK WAS CONDUCTED TO UNDERSTAND THIS SHOCK WAVE PROCESS AND ITS EFFECT ON TRAFFIC FLOW. A TRAFFIC CONTROL PROCEDURE WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT SHOCK WAVES, AND WAS TESTED AND FOUND EFFECTIVE. A SYSTEM OF CONTROL EQUIPMENT WAS DESIGNED TO SPACE ENTERING TRAFFIC ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS TO MAINTAIN HIGHER FLOW THROUGH THE BOTTLENECK. THE EQUIPMENT HAS THREE COMPONENTS: A VEHICLE DETECTOR AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE NEAR LANE, A COMPUTER CIRCUIT CONSISTING OF A STEPPING SWITCH AND A TIMER, THAT GENERATES AN ALARM WHEN 22 VEHICLES ENTER THE LANE IN LESS THAN 53 SECONDS, AND SIGNALS AT THE LANE ENTRANCE TO STOP TRAFFIC FOR THE SHORT TIME INTERVAL BETWEEN THE ARRIVAL OF THE 22ND VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 53 SECONDS AND THE EXPIRATION OF THAT MINUTE. THIS PROCEDURE RESULTS IN A 6 PERCENT INCREASE IN HOURLY FLOW AND PROVIDES MORE RAPID, COMFORTABLE AND SAFER TRAFFIC MOVEMENT.
Supplemental Notes:
Vol 39, pp 492-505, 6 FIG, 1 TAB, 3 PHOT, 13 REF. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
