Modelling toll plazas using queue theory

This study aims to increase the operational knowledge of the toll plazas to maximize their performance, using the queuing theory. First, the authors describe the theory of queues and its appropriateness to the collection booths. The authors defined the concept of level of service for toll plazas with their performance standards for waiting time in queue and average queue length. It is shown a number of assumptions (input variables, criteria for the traffic division, and information output) and develops a model called Car Motion. It is verified the consistency of queuing theory to simulate the toll plaza, through calibration of the model, with error in the order of 11%. Analyses are made in five types of operational scenarios. It is proven the exponential relationship between the volume of traffic and waiting time in queue. The performance of exclusively manual booth is similar to mixed booth (manual and electronic). There is a linear relationship between increasing percentage of heavy vehicles and toll capacity reduction. The increasing of the percentage of electronic payments to 41% can reduce 33% the number of booths manuals, representing large cost savings. Finally, the use of 50% of prepaid ticket payments achieves a 38% gain in capacity.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.piarc.org/en/order-library/13949-en-Proceedings%20of%20the%20XXIVth%20World%20Road%20Congress,%20Mexico%20-%202011.htm
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of the World Road Association – PIARC.
• Corporate Authors:

  World Road Association (PIARC)

  La Grande Arche, Paroi Nord, Niveau 5
  F-92055 La Defense Cedex,   France 
• Authors:
  • Sousa, F B B
  • Framarim, C S
• Conference:
  • 24th World Road Congress
  • Location: Mexico City , Mexico
  • Date: 2011-9-26 to 2011-9-30
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 11p
• Monograph Title: 24th World Road Congress Proceedings: Roads for a Better Life: Mobility, Sustainability and Development

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Level of service; Mathematical models; Queuing; Toll collection; Toll plazas; Traffic volume; Waiting time
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01502322
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 2840602679
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 23 2013 11:06AM