Research On Capacity Of Expressway Weaving Sections

Weaving section is one of the components of expressway system. Expressway weaving sections are those formed when the paths of two or more traffic streams cross in the same general direction. And the weaving sections of cloverleaf interchanges or partial cloverleaf interchanges are regarded as the research object in this dissertation. Capacity of expressway weaving sections is studied in this thesis. Capacity models for the advanced configuration of weaving sections using gap acceptance theory and linear optimization techniques are developed in this paper. Gap acceptance theory is used to explain lane-changing behavior at weaving sections. Linear programming equations for capacity estimation, with constraints imposed on basic expressway segment capacity, volume ratios, and the possible number of vehicles lane-changes which the weaving lane can acceptance, are brought to estimate the capacity of weaving sections.Firstly, previous research on weaving sections all over the world are summarized, there exist several methods for weaving section analysis and design. Secondly,the typical configuration of typeâ… is confirmed to be the object of capacity study. Traffic operation characteristics and intense lane changing maneuvers are analyzed from field data of weaving operation; With statistical methods and regression techniques the rules of flow rate for the weaving sections lanes are found.Influence factors of traffic operating in weaving sections are held and analyzed from above study. Thirdly,the process of lane-changing for the vehicle on weaving sections is analyzed in detail. The ideal safe gap of lane-changing is advanced according to the experience of Drew et al. And method of the number of vehicles lane-changing is advanced. Finally, the mathematics model of expressway weaving sections operating is set up. And the optimal capacity model is established with linear programming method.Finally,capacity of expressway weaving sections is analyzed with traffic simulation software named TSIS.