Principal investigator: Dr. Hesham Rakha, Virginia Tech, 540-231-1505, hrakha@vt.edu
External contact: Herb Morgan, Fluor Virginia, Inc., 804-304-6204, herb.morgan@fluor.com herb.morgan@fluor.com
Project objective: Evaluate options for adding to I-81 capacity using toll-generated revenue, with appropriate consideration of VDOT plans for the corridor.
Project Objective: Evaluate options for adding to I-81 capacity using toll-generated revenue, with appropriate consideration of VDOT plans for the corridor.
Project Abstract: The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is re-designing the I-81 corridor in Virginia, and proposals have been submitted to VDOT for this re-design effort. This project will evaluate, through the use of simulation runs, scenarios that rely on tolls to pay for added capacity. The following scenarios will be analyzed:
— Base case: existing truck climbing lanes.
— Truck lane scenario: addition of two truck lanes in each direction, additional lanes at some locations, and a flyover at specified locations.
— Mixed lane scenario: addition of mixed-use lanes to maintain a Level of Service (LOS) C over the entire section, with the addition of truck climbing lanes at selected locations.
Initial research shows that the mixed-lane scenario provides greatest travel time savings, while the truck lane scenario provides optimum energy and environmental benefits.
Further simulation runs will examine the benefits of various ITS applications along the corridor. Such applications include segregation of trucks, dedication of specific lanes to truck traffic, video detection systems for estimating real-time roadway travel times, and alternative tolling strategies.
Tasks: 1) Develop traffic modeling tools for the modeling of alternative tolling strategies. 2) Develop microscopic safety models. 3) Investigate the impacts of alternative truck segregation strategies on traffic stream flow safety, efficiency, and throughput. 4) Evaluate alternative tolling strategies on system performance.
Milestones: Task 1 will be completed by Dec. 31, 2004. Tasks 2, 3 and 4 will be completed by June 30, 2006. (Assumes no-cost grant extension.)
Student Involvement: One student.
Budget:
FY04
Faculty 20,000
FY05:
Faculty 150,000
Student 10,000
Project
total 180,000
Relationship to other research: Builds on Mid-Atlantic Transportation Center (MAUTC) project that is modeling truck acceleration behavior. The research also draws on ITS Center research "Emissions modeling".
Technology Transfer: Direct advice to VDOT. Publication in professional journals and presentations at scientific conferences.
Potential Benefits: Direct support of VDOT infrastructure improvements and ongoing management of I-81. Contribution to the growing understanding of how tolling can provide revenue for road construction.
TRB Keywords: ITS, trucking, traffic modeling.