A new highway addition to an existing road network is typically considered for improving traffic performance in that road network. However, finding the new highway that best improves the existing network is a very complex problem since many factors affect the road construction.
Besides changes in traffic flow patterns due to the new highway, various costs associated with highway construction as well as design specifications, safety, environmental, and political issues affect such a project.
Until recently, many studies have dealt separately with the problems of highway alignment optimization and network design. However, no models have been found that integrate these problems comprehensively and effectively. This study seeks to find a realistic three-dimensional highway alignment that best improves an existing network, while considering its costs, geometric design, and environmental impacts on the study area.
To fulfill this objective, an effective network model is developed that can simultaneously optimize (i) highway alignments and (ii) junction points with existing roads. In addition, the model’s optimization process considers traffic impacts due to the highway addition as well as factors associated with its construction. This project starts by investigating the major cost components and important constraints in the highway design processes. Next, existing models for optimizing highway alignments are reviewed by assessing their advantages and disadvantages.
Effective solution search methods are then developed to help solve the complex optimization problem. Development of the search methods is essential since an equilibrium traffic assignment as well as alignment optimization is undertaken in the proposed network model. Precise formulations of various highway costs and constraints are also developed for evaluating the various candidate alternatives.
Source: University of Maryland
Author: KANG, MIN WOOK
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