Generalized capacity estimation model for weaving areas

Weaving areas are one of the major highway facilities that have long been investigated by researchers. Their capacities are currently estimated based on the density 27 pc/km/ln. There is no specific reason why this method can produce accurate estimates. In addition, no data collection has been performed to validate them. This study develops a generalized capacity estimation model for weaving areas, which is applicable to the entire range of configurations of weaving areas, and compares the resulting capacity estimates to field estimates. The proposed methodology is based on gap acceptance theory and linear programming techniques. Speed and flow data over several days were obtained and analyzed to extract the capacity of three study sites along the QE Expressway, Toronto. It was found that, for the three study sites, the proposed methodology provides capacity estimates that are closer to the field-observed capacity values than the Highway Capacity Manual (2000) estimates.