Use of traffic planning software outputs when a new highway section is put into operation

Abstract

The main aim of this paper is to point out the assumptions of motorway operation effects on local transport. We assume positive effects of starting motorway operation on the specific section of road I/11. This section connects the cities of Žilina and Čadca. It is considered as one of the most problematic sections of the Slovak Republic because of the high intensity of individual transport and freight or cargo transport. This transport issue is growing beyond the regional level and is reaching alarming proportions. It needs to be solved as soon as possible. One of the available possibilities is to start the operation of the mentioned motorway D3. We have created a simulation model of a current state and also the state with the motorway. We have used intensities from the last national traffic census as basic inputs for simulation. These intensity values have been recalculated by relevant growth coefficients defined in Technical Conditions no. 102. Based on the results of a dynamic simulation, we have compared the average speed, delay times, and the length of congestions in two scenarios—the current state and effects of motorway operation.