Freeway Work Zone Free-Flow Speed Model Development

Author/Presenter: Yeom, Chunho; Hajbabaie, Ali; Rouphail, Nagui M.; Rasdorf, William; Schroeder, Bastian J.
Abstract:

Freeways with uninterrupted flow are expected to provide seamless movement of traffic resulting in reliable and safe travel conditions with a high level of service. In a time of aging transportation infrastructure, repair and rehabilitation work on freeways is becoming increasingly frequent, causing congestion on the affected facilities. While some construction activities can be limited to nighttime or off-peak hours, others require lane closures and intense work activity even during peak periods. The objective of this paper is to present a predictive freeway work zone free-flow speed model based on key variables that influence traffic operations: speed (under non-work zone and work zone conditions), lane closure severity index, barrier type, day or night activity, and total number of ramps in the vicinity. This paper presents a freeway work zone free-flow speed model based on an abundance of multi-state sensor data and extensive data analysis.