Freeway Free Flow Speed: a Case Study in Italy

Results are presented relative to an experimental investigation regarding the speeds implemented on motorways in free flow conditions. The results demonstrate that the maximum speed, in free flow conditions, is to be found on flat straight stretches, with a section width of around 11 meters. In such conditions the free flow speed (FFS) is found to be at values of around 131 km/h. Such a speed tends to decrease when some of these conditions vary. In particular the dimensions which influenced the FFS are: slope, curvature, tortuousness and the width of the section. The lowest FFS value was encountered in ascent (+4,5%), on a straight stretch, section width of around 9 meters and tortuousness degree equal to 21 degrees/Km; in these conditions the FFS is found to be around the value of 105 km/h. These results consented the forming of the first consideration for the identification of the structure of the model for speed estimation, implemented by drivers, on the motorway in free flow conditions. It is believed that this information could be extremely useful in the evaluation of the level of service (LOS) in the motorway field.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.09.780
• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042812042425
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/18770428
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • De Luca, Mario
  • Lamberti, Renato
  • Dell’Acqua, Gianluca
• Conference:
  • 15th Meeting of the EURO Working Group on Transportation
  • Location: Paris , France
  • Date: 2012-9-10 to 2012-9-13
• Publication Date: 2012-10-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 628-636
• Serial:
  • Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Volume: 54
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 1877-0428
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/18770428/53
• Publication flags:

  Open Access (libre)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Free flow speeds; Freeways; Geometric design; Traffic flow
• Geographic Terms: Italy
• Subject Areas: Highways; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01487002
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 18 2013 1:49PM