Development of a Dynamic Traffic Assignment Model to Evaluate Lane-Reversal Plans for I-65

This report presents the methodology and results from a project that studied contra-flow operations in support of hurricane evacuations in the state of Alabama. As part of this effort, a simulation model was developed using the VISTA platform for I-65 from the Alabama Gulf Coast region to Montgomery, AL and alternate evacuation routes. The model was used to test the current lane-reversal plan under a variety of evacuation scenarios and assess the potential impacts of modifications to this plan. Special attention was given to the development of realistic evacuation demand profiles to account for user preferences and seasonal (tourist) demand. The report discusses traffic and evacuation data requirements and acquisition, model development and calibration approach, evacuation scenarios considered and results from the systems analyses and scenarios evaluation. Moreover, it highlights some of the challenges in the development of large scale mesoscopic model for evacuation analyses. A summary of recommendations is also included that can be used to improve current practices and assist future traffic management under evacuation conditions.

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• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/18548
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the US Department of Transportation University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Alabama, Birmingham

  Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
  1075 13th Street South
  Birmingham, AL  United States  35294

  Alabama Department of Transportation

  1100 John Overton Drive
  Montgomery, AL  United States  36110

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Sisiopiku, Virginia P
  • Sullivan, Andrew
  • Abro, Abdul Muqueet
  • Shinouda, Michael
  • Mouskos, Kyriacos
  • Barrett, Curtis
• Publication Date: 2010-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 64p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Contraflow lanes; Dynamic traffic assignment; Evacuation; Hurricanes; Reversible traffic lanes
• Identifier Terms: Interstate 65
• Geographic Terms: Alabama
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Security and Emergencies; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01330479
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: UTCA Report Number 07408
• Contract Numbers: 930-670R
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 25 2011 2:42PM