Simulation model of discret events applied to the planning and operation of a toll plaza

Abstract

Article Info Abstract Keywords: Simulation HCM Discrete Events Traffic Flow Level of service This work investigates the congestion and traffic flow in a tool plaza, and proposes a methodology for the classification of highway flows and its service levels based on a combination of the Highway Capacity Manual-HCM and Discrete Events Simulation fundaments. The proposed mesoscopic simulation is used to analyze service levels of different physical and operational arrangements of a particular toll gate. The model considers speed functions, toll gate arrivals and departures, as well as events as possible accidents and track change functions when the vehicles arrive at the gate, and offers data for the HCM indexes, which produces the respective service levels. After the application of the model, the results showed the possibility of an operational gain in terms of time in queue, time of congestion and reduction of conflicts, in case the solution is implemented, assisting in decision making. Finally, conclusions are made based on the results of the simulation model.