A Microcomputer Program to Evaluate Low Cost Modifications on Urban Freeways

by Kanathur N. Srikanth, JHK & Associates, Alexandria, United States,
Ammar Kanaan, JHK & Associates, Alexandria, United States,
Everett C. Carter, JHK & Associates, Alexandria, United States,
Charles C. Liu, JHK & Associates, Alexandria, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Microcomputers in Transportation

Abstract:

This paper presents a user-friendly, menu-driven microcomputer program, RAMP, for analysis and evaluation of freeway ramp junction level of service. RAMP automates the approximation procedure in Chapter 5 of the Highway Capacity Manual. Specifically, it overcomes the limitation of individual ramp pair analysis imposed by the Highway Capacity Software. RAMP was designed to simultaneously analyze up to 200 ramps of varying geometry and configurations. The utility and effectiveness of RAMP is demonstrated through a case study involving a section of I-494 freeway in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The program proved to be an excellent tool for practitioners to obtain quick and reliable level of service estimates for urban freeways with extensive ramp junctions. Compared to the Highway Capacity Software, it can save hundreds of hours of effort in large scale applications due to its reduced time and data requirements. Its capability in quickly evaluating Low Cost Modification (LCM) options is particularly useful today as the LCM is, in many instances, the only feasible means to enhance a freeway's capacity.

Subject Headings: Highways and roads | Ramps (road) | Computer software | Computer analysis | Traffic capacity | Intelligent transportation systems | Case studies | Minnesota | United States

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