A Simulation Model for Motorway Merging Behaviour

Abstract

The most difficult sections of motorway to analyze satisfactorily are the merging sections, because these are where the majority of conflicts and interactions occur. The situation is more complicated than simple gap acceptance because the ramp traffic is not only seeking gaps in the main motorway traffic; its presence also influences the behaviour of drivers on the main motorway. The latter may choose to move to the inner lanes on the motorway or to slow down to create gaps for the merging traffic. Traditional modelling is unable to represent such complex behavioural responses and interactions. This paper presents a new model of motorway traffic merging behaviour by explicitly simulating the interactions between the gap-acceptance behaviour of the merging traffic and the cooperative behaviour of the motorway traffic. Sensitivity analysis of the model suggests that cooperative lane-changing and yielding have a significant effect on the proportion of merges that are made easily. Similarly, the more alert the drivers are, the higher the proportion that successfully merge into their first choice of gaps. A longer acceleration lane does not appear to increase the proportion that successfully merges into the driver's first choice of gaps; it does however help when merging into the second or third choices. A preliminary calibration of the model suggests that the modelled gap distribution fits well with those observed. Further research will examine the extent to which cooperative behaviour helps the merging traffic without inducing instability in the motorway traffic.2 Insert book title here BACKGROUND

Application of Finite Mixture of Logistic Regression for Heterogeneous Merging Behavior Analysis

“…Gipps [18] first used the gap acceptance theory to propose a comprehensive framework of lane-changing model. Gipps's framework has been widely used in several merge models [19,20] and microscopic traffic simulation software [21,22]. Different definitions of critical gap were used in these models and software.…”

Characterizing Heterogeneity in Drivers’ Merging Maneuvers Using Two-Step Cluster Analysis

“…Gipps [25] is believed to be the first to use gap acceptance theory to develop a comprehensive framework for lane-changing model. Hidas [26] and Wang [27] applied similar principle to build freeway mandatory lane-changing models. The framework of Gipps' model has also been use in several microscopic traffic simulation software [28][29][30].…”

Study of unique merging behavior under mixed traffic conditions

“…Here, group merging process constitutes highest proportion (37%), followed by forced merging (26%), normal merging (21%) and vehicle cover merging (16%). Traditional gap acceptance model is deficient in fully representing such complex behavioral responses and interactions during merging (Ahmed, 1999;Lee, 2006;Wang, Liu, & Montgomery, 2005). Hence, modeling the above four merging behavior in congested conditions under mixed traffic conditions is considered essential.…”

“…The model describes the interaction process between merging and through cars as a zero-sum non-cooperative game (Ahmed, 1999;Hidas, 2002Hidas, , 2005. Wang et al (2005) developed model for motorway traffic merging behavior by explicitly simulating the interactions between the gap-acceptance behavior of the merging traffic and the cooperative behavior of the motorway traffic. Sarvi, Ceder, & Kuwahara, 2002, 2005 have done extensive studies on traffic behavior and characteristics during merging process under congested conditions, using ramp and freeway lag driver acceleration-deceleration behavior modeling.…”