Methodology to Estimate the Need for Direct-Current Fast-Charging Stations along Highways in Canada
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems
Volume 146, Issue 10
Abstract
Many research works have focused on solving facility location problems to optimize the distribution of direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations along highways. However, before such optimization studies can be done, a reasonable estimate is needed of the required number of DCFCs for these highways. Unfortunately, many highways lack the detailed traffic count data required to make these estimates. This study developed a methodology for forecasting the need for DCFC stations along highways using only classic traffic count information such as annual average daily traffic (AADT), which is one of the most readily available types of data in many countries, including Canada. This method was developed using data from highway sections with more detailed traffic count information. Detailed historical traffic data of different highway sections first are analyzed thoroughly and categorized into groups of traffic flow patterns that then can be employed to predict traffic flow for other locations where only less-detailed data, such as the AADT, are available. The methodology describes a way to estimate the peak traffic flow and the long-distance traffic fraction on the highway, so that the equation developed to predict the number of long distance–traveling electric vehicles (EVs) is complete and solvable. The methodology was applied in two case studies for different highway sections in Ontario, and the need for DCFCs under various scenarios of the EV adoption rate was presented. The case studies showed that the methodology developed in this study can be used successfully to guide the planning of EV fast charging infrastructure along highways using only conventional traffic data.
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Data Availability Statement
All data used during the study are either directly downloadable from the websites listed in the References or available from the corresponding author by reasonable request (CVUS data, and provincial traffic flow data for Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia at various locations).
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to Natural Resources Canada for funding this work through the Energy Innovation Program. They also thank Jean Laplante of the Quebec Transport Ministry, Graeme Price of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, and Bob Leore of Transport Canada for their help in providing detailed traffic data of Quebec and Ontario and the CVUS data. The authors also acknowledge Giuseppe Grande and his colleagues at Manitoba Highway Traffic Information System (MHTIS) at the University of Manitoba for providing Manitoba’s traffic data in a detailed format. Manitoba Infrastructure authorizes MHTIS to release the data but provides no warranties as to the validity or accuracy of the data provided.
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Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems
Volume 146 • Issue 10 • October 2020
Copyright
Crown Copyright © 2020 Published by American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 31, 2019
Accepted: May 21, 2020
Published online: Jul 16, 2020
Published in print: Oct 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Dec 16, 2020
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