Technical Papers
Mar 8, 2012

Traffic Flow Theory–Based Stochastic Optimization Model for Work Zones on Two-Lane Highways

Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 138, Issue 10

Abstract

Road maintenance is essential to ensure a safe and efficient transportation system. Unfortunately, work zones can give rise to significant delays to road users. In this paper, two major limitations in the current work zone optimization models are addressed. First, we relax the assumption of determinism, and model vehicle arrivals as being stochastic. While previous work has shown that this relaxation is important in the quantification of user delay at work zones, no model exists that explicitly accounts for stochasticity in the optimization of work zones. Second, unlike in previous work in which idealized traffic flow modeling techniques have been used, the proposed model employs the traffic flow theory–based cell transmission model, yielding a more accurate and realistic representation of traffic flow dynamics. The focus in this paper is on two-lane two-way highways. A case study is presented to illustrate the proposed model.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

References

Benekohal, R. F., Kaja-Mohideen, A.-Z., and Chitturi, M. V. (2004). “Methodology for estimating operating speed and capacity in work zones.” Transp. Res. Rec., 1883, 103–111.
Benekohal, R. F., and Wang, L. (1993). “Speed change distribution of vehicles in a highway work zone.” Transp. Res. Rec., 1409, 42–51.
Charnes, A., and Cooper, W. W. (1963). “Deterministic equivalents for optimizing and satisfying under chance constraints.” Oper. Res., 11, 18–39.
Chen, C. H., and Schonfeld, P. (2004). “Work zone optimization for two-lane highway maintenance project.” Transp. Res. Rec., 1877, 95–105.
Chien, S. I., Goulias, D. G., Yahalom, S., and Chowdhury, S. M. (2002). “Simulation-based estimates of delays at freeway work zones.” J. Adv. Transp., 36(2), 131–156.
Chiu, Y.-C., and Zheng, H. (2007). “Real-time mobilization decisions for multi-priority emergency response resources and evacuation groups: Model formulation and solution.” Transp. Res. Part E: Logist. Transp. Rev., 43(6), 710–736.
Daganzo, C. F. (1994). “The cell transmission model: A dynamic representation of highway traffic consistent with the hydrodynamic theory.” Transp. Res. Part B: Methodol., 28(4), 269–287.
Daganzo, C. F. (1995). “The cell transmission model, part II: Network traffic.” Transp. Res. Part B: Methodol., 29(2), 79–93.
Jiang, X., and Adeli, H. (2003). “Freeway work zone traffic delay and cost optimization model.” J. Transp. Eng., 129(3), 230–241.
Kim, J., and Elefteriadou, L. (2010). “Estimation of capacity of two-lane two-way highways using simulation model.” J. Transp. Eng., 136(1), 61–66.
Krammes, R. A., and Lopez, G. O. (1994). “Updated capacity values for short-term freeway work zone lane closures.” Transp. Res. Rec., 1442, 49–56.
Lighthill, M. J., and Whitham, G. B. (1955a). “On kinematic waves I: Flood movement in long rivers.” Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A, 229(1178), 281–316.
Lighthill, M. J., and Whitham, G. B. (1955b). “On kinematic waves II: A theory of traffic flow on long crowded roads.” Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A, 229(1178), 317–345.
Ng, M. W., Lin, D., and Waller, S. T. (2009). “Optimal long-term infrastructure maintenance planning accounting for traffic dynamics.” Comput.-Aided Civ. Infrastruct. Eng., 24(7), 459–469.
Ng, M. W., Szeto, W. Y., and Waller, S. T. (2011a). “Distribution-free travel time reliability assessment with probability inequalities.” Transp. Res. Part B: Methodol., 45(6), 852–866.
Ng, M. W., and Waller, S. T. (2010a). “A computationally efficient methodology to characterize travel time reliability using the fast Fourier transform.” Transp. Res. Part B: Methodol., 44(10), 1202–1219.
Ng, M. W., and Waller, S. T. (2010b). “Reliable evacuation planning via demand inflation and supply deflation.” Transp. Res. Part E: Logist. Transp. Rev., 46(6), 1086–1094.
Ng, M. W., and Waller, S. T. (2012). “A dynamic route choice model considering uncertain capacities.” Comput.-Aided Civ. Infrastruct. Eng., 27(4), 231–243.
Ng, M. W., Zhang, Z., and Waller, S. T. (2011b). “The price of uncertainty in pavement infrastructure management planning: An integer programming approach.” Transp. Res. Part C: Emerging Technol., 19(6), 1326–1338.
Richards, P. I. (1956). “Shock waves on the highway.” Oper. Res., 4(1), 42–51.
Schonfeld, P., and Chien, S. (1999). “Optimal work zone lengths for two-lane highways.” J. Transp. Eng., 125(1), 21–29.
Waller, S. T., and Ziliaskopoulos, A. K. (2006). “A chance-constrained based stochastic dynamic traffic assignment model: Analysis, formulation and solution algorithms.” Transp. Res. Part C: Emerging Technol., 14(6), 418–427.
Ziliaskopoulos, A. K. (2000). “A linear programming model for the single destination system optimum dynamic traffic assignment problem.” Transp. Sci., 34(1), 37–49.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Transportation Engineering
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 138Issue 10October 2012
Pages: 1269 - 1273

History

Received: Sep 13, 2011
Accepted: Mar 6, 2012
Published online: Mar 8, 2012
Published in print: Oct 1, 2012

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Modeling, Simulation and Visualization Engineering, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1318 Engineering and Computational Sciences Building, Old Dominion Univ., Norfolk, VA 23529. E-mail: [email protected]

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share