VEHICLE OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS ON OUTER LOOP DECELERATION LANES OF INTERCHANGES

The study reported here was undertaken in order to assess the adequacy of, and the driver behaviour patterns on, existing interchange exit facilities. To that end, the movements of 1,574 vehicles were studied during peak volume conditions at six locations on Highway No. 401 in the Toronto area to determine the operational patterns of vehicles using various types of outer loop and diamond exits typical of those found on high-speed controlled access highways in Ontario. Vehicle movements were recorded on film for analysis at a later date. This method provided relatively accurate information and at the same time permitted an overall picture of traffic flow not only in the exits but in the adjacent through lanes as well. The main operating characteristics studied were headways, speeds, lateral placements and decelerations. By examining the values for each of these characteristics it was possible to derive an overall picture of driver behaviour on these types of exits. The study revealed some areas where improvement could be made in existing facilities and where major changes should be adopted for the design of future exits.

• Corporate Authors:

  Ontario Ministry of Transportation & Communic, Can

  Research and Development Division, 1201 Wilson Avenue
  Downsview, ONo M3M 1J8,   Canada 
• Authors:
  • Davis, M M
  • Williams, K M
• Publication Date: 1968

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Deceleration lanes; Diamond interchanges; Drivers; Freeways; Interchange ramps; Interchanges; Intersection elements; Operating speed; Traffic surveys; Vehicle characteristics
• Uncontrolled Terms: Traffic studies
• Old TRIS Terms: Freeway entrances and exits
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00125472
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: OJHRP43
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 3 1975 12:00AM