IMPROVING FREEWAY OPERATIONS BY REMOVING BOTTLENECKS

In addition to decreasing motorist delay, bottleneck improvements can enhance safety and decrease some types of pollutants. Vehicles operating in congested sections of freeways emit more hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere, and vehicles caught in stop-and-go traffic consume more fuel. Accidents (particularly rear-ends) and vehicle breakdowns (with associated safety impacts) tend to increase in freeway sections with severe congestion. In addition, motorists sometimes make erratic maneuvers in an attempt to bypass congestion and save time, causing further hazard and raising other drivers' blood pressure. If design elements can be improved, low-cost improvements to remove freeway bottlenecks can provide significant benefits.

• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Walters, C H
  • Poe, C M
  • Skowronek, Douglas A
• Conference:
  • 1992 Compendium of Technical Papers. Institute of Transportation Engineers Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington, D.C.
  • Date: 1992-8-9 to 1992-8-12
• Publication Date: 1992

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: v.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bottlenecks; Freeways; Highway traffic; Highway traffic control; Highways; Improvements; Prevention; Safety; Traffic congestion
• Old TRIS Terms: Freeway traffic
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00629379
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: May 12 1993 12:00AM