Use of public information for road-capacity reductions: a study of mediating strategies during tunnel rehabilitations in Oslo

Abstract

In this paper, two public information campaigns were analysed. These were related to capacity reductions, caused by maintenance work, in two main road tunnels—at Smestad and Bryn in Oslo. The paper analyses the campaigns’ characteristics and their goal fulfilment. The usage of social media to inform and communicate with travelers and inhabitants is highlighted. We find a high level of outreach of the campaigns and satisfaction among travelers with the information received. However, there are substantial differences between the information campaigns. The Smestad campaign had clear elements of mass-media scaremongering. Here, it is reasonable to attribute the traffic reduction in the first days after the capacity reduction to the massive media headings in advance about possible congestion and chaos. In contrast, the Bryn campaign was more multi-faced and lasted longer. Through massive neighbourhood information and use of social media, this campaign extensively encouraged and advised travelers on how congestion could be avoided if people travelled less by cars during the rehabilitation phase. Further, the Bryn campaign directed social media posts and digital advertising towards specific groups at specific times, and by doing so exemplifying audience targeting and the use of information campaigns to legitimate public interventions. While traditional media provided a strong basis for mass information in the early stages of both tunnel rehabilitations, social media had a clear mediating role at Bryn. Last, while describing management of deviant traffic situations, the paper also feeds into discussions of how to facilitate urban-transport change towards reduced car usage.

Research on Calculating Traffic Capacity in Extra-Long Subsea Tunnels—A Case Study of the Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay Subsea Tunnel

“…3 Road factors, changes in slope and curve radius in the subsea tunnel, and the design of traffic markings will all have an impact on vehicle speed. 4 Environmental factors-bright and dark adaptation of drivers at tunnel entrances and exits leads to fluctuations in vehicle speed. As seen in the above figure, there is a relationship between the tunnel flow and the slope of the longitudinal slope; in the downhill section, as the slope decreases, the tunnel cross-sectional flow increases, but in the flat section and the uphill section, the relationship is not significant.…”

“…For instance, the Highway Capacity Manual has identified road condition, traffic, and technical factors as critical elements influencing highway capacity [2]. Yang et al [3] investigated the impact of lane-changing behavior on capacity reduction, while Anders et al [4] studied the effect of public information on highway tunnel capacity. Mostafa et al [5] investigated how tunnel structure affects capacity, and Cai [6] used numerical simulation to determine the main influencing factors on traffic capacity, including slope, slope length, and the proportion of large vehicles.…”

“…This paper aims to examine the impact of various factors related to the road environment and control measures on tunnel traffic capacity. Unlike the existing literature [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13], which focuses mainly on single factors and neglects the interplay between multiple factors, this paper considers a combination of factors that could potentially influence traffic capacity. By analyzing both single and multiple factors, the paper seeks to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics involved in tunnel traffic capacity.…”