Traffic flow modeling on multi-lane divided highways

The present research work aims at investigating the mixed traffic flow behavior on highways for varying conditions of traffic volume. To understand the traffic flow behavior on multi-lane divided highways under mixed traffic conditions, the arrival patterns of vehicles, time headway characteristics, speed characteristics, lateral placement of vehicles and overtaking behavior were analyzed. The aim of the present study is to develop more appropriate models for estimating the passenger car units of different vehicle types on multilane highways, considering the limitations of available methods. The primary limitations of field data arise due to practical difficulties in conducting extensive field experiments under wide variations of traffic flow parameters, non-availability of required field conditions, difficulty in experimenting with individual components in isolation, etc. As a solution to these practical problems, computer simulation has been proved to be a powerful tool in replicating complex traffic systems which allows experimentation to the basic traffic flow system. For the simulation, VISSIM microscopic simulation tool is used and data analysis is performed.