Citation

Cuciti P, Janson B. Transp. Res. Rec. 1995; 1494: 84-90.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A courtesy patrol program was operated by the Colorado Department of Transportation on urban freeways during peak periods to reduce congestion attributable to incidents. In this article are described the program's implementation using two approaches to service delivery, the types of incidents encountered, services provided, and impacts on traffic flows. During the pilot program, the duration of incidents was reduced by 8.6 to 10.5 min. Using a deterministic queuing model, average delays were estimated to be reduced by 71 to 98 vehicle-hr per incident, depending on roadway position, time of day, and assumptions regarding lane blockage effects. The program's benefits far exceeded its costs.

Language: en

Keywords

Highway accidents; Mathematical models; Highway traffic control; Highway administration; Highway systems; Urban planning; Queueing theory