Assignment 1

Question 1. For simplicity one proposes a double linear relationship with an optimal flow rate
between flow rate and density of traffic on Freeway 261. Based on past observation data, the
q-k relationship is shown in the following figure.
q (veh/hr)
1500

k (veh/km)
25

125
0
A 3m-long weight sensitive loop detector is installed to measure flow on Freeway 261, which
can distinguish up to 3 vehicle types. The observation of the detector on at clock hour
10:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. on Feb 1, 2001 is listed in the table.
Average
Average coverage
Vehicle
Type
Vehicle
vehicle
time over the loop
Composition by
length (m)
(sec)
volume (%)
1 Private car
6
0.600
30
2 Coach/Bus
10
1.300
30
3 Container Trailer
12
1.125
40
Find the density of that observation hour on Freeway 261.
Solution:
Part 1 Speed Mean Speed vs
From the table, the average vehicle speeds are:
Type 1:

v1

L1 C
9m
3600 sec/ hr

54 km / hr
t1
0.600 sec 1000 m / km

Type 2:

v2

L2 C
13 m
3600 sec/ hr

36 km / hr
t2
1.300 sec 1000 m / km

Type 3:

v3

L3 C
15 m
3600 sec/ hr

48 km / hr
t3
1.125 sec 1000 m / km

Thus the space mean speed =

i 1

pi

0.3

54

0.3
36

0.4

48

90

45 km / hr

Part 2 Density k
In next step, the density is calculated from the known value of vs. Two methods are illustrated.

Assignment 1

Method 1From the figure, the q-k relationship is:

0 k 25
60k ,

q 1875 15k , 25 k 125 ,

0,
otherwise

Using the fundamental relationship we get

60,

0 k 25

q 1875
v 15, 25 k 125 .
k k
0, otherwise

Hence, the v-k diagram is

v
(km/hr)
60

v-k relationship

125

25

k
(veh/km)

Thus, when the speed is 45 km/hr, the density of the traffic is 31.25 veh/km.
Method 2Recall that a straight line passing through (0,0) and (k , q ) in q-k graph has a
slope of vs. Thus, by constructing a line with a slope v s 45 km / hr from origin and
finding out the intersection, i.e. solving 45k 1875 15k gives k 31.25 veh / km .
Question 2. Greenberg has proposed the following speed-density (v-k)
model for a traffic stream on one lane of a highway:
v 30 ln 300 / k ,

where k is in vehicles/km and v is in km/hr

1) Sketch the v-k relationship

disadvantage of the model.

clearly

and

mention

the

obvious

2) Determine (a) the jam density, (b) the capacity or maximum flow and
(c) the values of speed and density at capacity for the traffic stream.
3) Sketch the q-k and v-q relationships clearly and indicate the values
obtained in (2) above. (q is the flow in vehicles/hour)
Can the model be modified in a simple way to allow for a speed limit of,
say 90 km/h? Explain briefly with a sketch.
Solution:
(1) See (3) for the idea of a correct sketch. The speed is not bounded and so one of the

Assignment 1

boundary condition (i.e. v f ) cannot be used.

(2) (a) k j 300 veh/km
q kv 30k ln 300 k

(b) Since

q k v 300e 1 30

(c)

and

k 300e 1 ,

so

the

capacity

is

9000e 1 3311 veh/hr.

k 300e 1 110 veh/km and v

30 km/hr

(3) The sketches are:

q

100

q*
=
3311
v* = 30

k
*

k = 110 300

(4)

q* = 3311

k
300

Consider the modified Greenbergs model

300
, where is a constant
k
When men free flow speed v f 90 km/hr , then we have
v 30 ln

300

90 30 ln

15.72

Question 3. Given that a vehicular stream at q a =1200 veh/hr was stopped

by a flag-person for 5 minutes since time t t o . At time t t o 5 minutes,
vehicle at the front of the stationary platoon was released, and the
platoon took 15 min to dissipate. However, due to some reasons, some
information has been lost. Base on the following graph, calculate the
stopping shock wave generated by the flag-person and the released
shock wave. Also, find out the q, k, v in regions 1, 2 and 3, and the
maximum queue length.

Assignment 1

Distance (km)

Front of platoon

5
6
do +2.5
1
4

Region
1

do

Region
2

Regio
n3

Time
(min)

to

Solution:
Stopping shock wave

U AB
Released shock wave

U BC

d o 2.5 d o 60 7.5 km/hr

t o t o 20

(travelling upstream)

d o 2.5 d o 60 10 km/hr
t o t o 15

(travelling upstream)

Region 1

Region 2

Region 3

v
k

15 km/hr
80 veh/km (Note 1)

0
240 veh/km (Note 2)

50 km/hr
40 veh/km (Note 4)

1200 veh/hr

2000 veh/hr (Note 3)

Note: In region 2, since the vehicular stream is stopped, so v 2 0 and q 2 0 .

q1 1200

80 veh/km
v1
15

(1)

k1

(2)

k 2 k1

(3)

U BC

q1 q2
1200 0
80
240 veh/km
U AB
7. 5

q 2 q3
q 2 q3

k 2 k 3 k 2 q 3 v3

q2
U v
q3
k 2 BC 3
U BC
v3 U BC

(4)

k3

q3 2000

40 veh/hr
v3
50

0
10 50
2000 veh/hr
240
10
50 10

Assignment 1

Hence, the maximum queue length =

U AB t o 5 t o
7.5 5

0.625 km
60
60

Question 4. A truck with a speed of 12 mph enters a traffic stream flowing at 900 vehicles per
hour and a speed of 50 mph and travels for 2 miles. Because it is impossible to pass, cars
immediately behind the truck are forced to match his speed, forming a platoon with
concentration of 100 vehicles per mile and moving at a speed of 12 mph. the traffic is then
dissipated at an optimal flow of 1500 vehicles per hour and a speed of 30 mph.
a) What is the speed of the shock wave at the rear of the platoon?
b) What will be the length of the platoon when the truck turns off from the highway?
c) How long does it take to clear the platoon after the truck left?
Solution:
a) U rear

q2 q1 1200 900

3.66mph
k2 k1
100 18

The rear of the platoon is moving forward at 3.66mph with respect to the roadway.
b) As the front of the platoon is moving forward at 12 mph, therefore, the length of the
platoon is growing with a rate of (12-3.66) = 8.34 mph.
Time for the truck to travel 2 miles =
truck turns off is

2 mi
1
hr , so the length of the platoon when the
12 mph 6

1
8.34 1.39mi
6

d) After the truck turns off, the front of the platoon moves with a speed of :
U front

q3 q2 1500 1200

6mph
k3 k 2
30 100

The rare of the platoon moves downstream at 3.66mph and the front of the platoon moves
upstream to the rear at 6mph. So, time to dissipate the 1.39 miles platoon is
1.39
0.144hr 8.64 min
3.66 6