JAUE2020-068: Planning Suggestions for Road Efficiency Improvement Based on Driving Speed Model

Abstract

Transport systems are essential in metropolitans, with the road system being the basic one among all means of transport. Raising the efficiency of the road system becomes crucial. In this research, the author defined ‘X’ as the indicator to show the efficiency of a road, which means the total driving distance of all the cars that have passed the given section of the road in a given time period. Then the author built a model to indicate the relation between driving speed and road efficiency. This research mainly has three steps. Firstly, find the relation between driving speed and safety distance. It’s a common sense that driving fast needs more safety distance between each car. The author gives two definitions of safety distance and goes into the braking process to find the answer. Secondly, finding the relation between safety distance and road capacity. Longer safety distance means fewer cars on the road at the same time, but with larger driving speed. Thirdly, analyzing the relation between road capacity and road efficiency. In the peak hours of traffic, the total distance of all cars in this period can be seen as fixed. So the total driving distance per hour can be seen as an indicator of road efficiency. Through the calculation and data, we can have a new perspective to explain why traffic jams always happen. Finally, the writer gives suggestions on transport policies and planning. Based on the results, we can continue many further researches.