Operating Speed Prediction Models by Vehicle Type on Two-Lane Rural Highways in Indian Hilly Terrains
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems
Volume 148, Issue 3
Abstract
The present study aims to develop vehicle type-wise operating-speed prediction (OSP) models for heterogeneous traffic on two-lane rural highways in Indian hilly terrains. For the present study, 27 curves with varying geometric characteristics located along the National Highway (NH-953) connecting Netrang and Rajpipla in the western state of Gujarat, India, were selected. Speed data were collected using radar guns at three curve locations (entry point, midpoint, and exit point) in each travel direction for three dominant types of vehicles: motorized two-wheelers (2W), cars, and heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs). OSP models were developed for different vehicle types at three curve points using the backward elimination stepwise regression (BSR) technique. The results revealed that the preceding curve point’s operating speed, curve length, and tangent length positively affected operating speed. In contrast, deflection angle, curve sharpness, and grade had adverse effects. The curve geometric characteristics had the most negligible impact on the operating speed of 2W and a significant effect on HCV. Among all the curve-related aspects, curve length was the most significant variable and affected the speed of all three vehicle types, followed by curve sharpness. Further, the developed OSP models were applied to the other hilly terrain to check the transferability of the model. As an important outcome, the developed OSP models were used to evaluate geometric design consistency. This highlights the need for geometric and traffic-calming measures to improve highway operating-speed consistency and driver safety.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or codes generated or used during the study are available from the corresponding author by reasonable request. For example, vehicle typewise speed data of the entire study section would be made available upon request.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to three anonymous reviewers for their thorough and most helpful comments. This study is part of the project entitled “Influence of Geometric Design Consistency and Functional Condition of Road on Vehicle’s Operational Characteristics in Mountainous Regions,” sponsored by the TEQIP-III, a Government of India initiative (Project No. SVNIT/CED/SSA/TEQIP-III/44/2019). The authors are grateful to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for providing the highway segment’s plan and profile. We also thank all individuals who helped collect data (C. Akbari, P. Patil, H. R. Surya, P. Diyora, R. Italiya, J. Mistry, R. Rathod, and Y. Ali).
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Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems
Volume 148 • Issue 3 • March 2022
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© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 9, 2021
Accepted: Nov 16, 2021
Published online: Jan 10, 2022
Published in print: Mar 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Jun 10, 2022
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