Exploring Traffic Speed Patterns for the Implementation of Variable Speed Limit (VSL) Signs

Traffic congestion is a prevalent issue during peak travel hours on roads in the United States. This study focuses on identifying suitable road links in Charlotte, North Carolina, for implementing variable speed limit (VSL) signs. Real-world traffic speed data collected over one year was analyzed to identify specific road links with favorable characteristics for VSL sign installations. The analysis considered weekdays, weekends, and specific times of the day to capture variations in speed patterns. The results revealed that roads with lower speed limits consistently experienced speeds exceeding the posted speed limits, suggesting additional enforcement or safety measures. For roads with higher speed limits, mean speeds were generally close to the speed limits, but the 85th percentile speeds exceeded them, indicating a potential need for speed management measures. Road links with a 45/50 mph speed limit display a unique pattern compared to other clusters. The mean speed on these roads decreases as the standard deviation increases. The findings contribute to understanding traffic speed patterns and provide valuable insights for transportation planning and management.

• Dataset URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.31979/mti.2023.2318
• Record URL:
  • https://transweb.sjsu.edu/research/2318-Traffic-Speed-Patterns-Variable-Speed-Limit
• Summary URL:
  • https://transweb.sjsu.edu/sites/default/files/2318-RB-Pulugurtha-Traffic-Speed-Patterns-Variable-Speed-Limit_0.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/73276
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/73208
• Dataset URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/73237
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program. Supporting dataset available at: https://doi.org/10.31979/mti.2023.2318; https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/73237
• Corporate Authors:

  Mineta Transportation Institute

  College of Business
  San José State University
  San Jose, CA  United States  95192-0219

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  California Department of Transportation

  Sacramento, CA  United States  95819
• Authors:
  • Kalambay, Panick
  • 0000-0002-0815-3074
  • Pulugurtha, Srinivas
  • 0000-0001-7392-7227
• Publication Date: 2023-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 51p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Implementation; Location; Speed signs; Traffic speed; Variable speed limits
• Geographic Terms: Charlotte (North Carolina)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01907839
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 23-29, CA-MTI-2318
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747127
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 12 2024 10:31AM