Citation

Harr ME, Leonards GA. Highw. Res. Board bull. 1962; 308: 87-91.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1962, National Research Council (U.S.A.), Highway Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

An analytic approach is developed whereby the various aspects of a highway (such as curves, grades, lane width, traffic control devices, type and condition of surfacing) can be evaluated quantitatively under varying traffic density and weather conditions providing a rational basis for geometric design. In the present analysis it is postulated that traffic reacts to a motivating pressure potential in a pattern that determines the behavior of any particular vehicle traversing a given section of roadway. This concept can be expressed quantitatively in a manner analogous to that used in describing one-dimensional viscous flow in a compressible fluid. Solution of the resulting differential equation yields a parameter which is a numerical measure of the salient characteristics of a road. Procedures are then proposed to determine this parameter, using measurable vehicular velocities, which eliminate the need for evaluating the motivating pressure potential.