Evaluation of traffic congestion parameters under heterogeneous traffic condition: A case study on Bhubaneswar city

Abstract

The present study is attempted to explore and evaluate the feasibility of modeling technique for the prediction of congestion indices under heterogeneous traffic conditions at Bhubaneswar city near Patia region. Congestion prediction is attempted under heterogeneous traffic conditions in order to determine their feasibility under the Indian traffic scenario and proposes suggestions of implementing congestion solutions. Two urban road stretches of Patia region of Bhubaneswar city was considered as study area. Survey was conducted for morning peak hours considered from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. by video graphic survey. Similarly, survey was conducted for evening peak hours considered from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. By synchronizing videos, traffic volume and travel time was obtained which were required for the measure of congestion indices. The average travel time was calculated. Buffer time index, travel time index, and planning time index were estimated. Congestion indices for each direction and each road were evaluated from above parameters. Impact of lane discipline on different congestion indices is analyzed. Formulation of buffer index, travel time index, and planning time index are done to evaluate the various impacts on traffic conditions using nonlinear regression modeling. Average travel time and 95th percentile travel time of different category of vehicles were calculated for each section of road network system for the direction of traffic without considering the lane behavior. Effect of lane discipline on congestion indices of road system was studied. The prime focus of the study relies on congestion indices in terms of travel time reliability measures to find the operational efficiency of urban road network in Bhubaneswar city.