Travel Impact Evaluation for Major Highway Reconstruction Projects

Abstract

A key issue in planning major highway reconstruction projects is the allocation of roadway space between the reconstruction activities and the motorists. Estimates of the travel impacts of alternative allocations are required to determine the appropriate use of roadway space. A review of available analysis tools and of experiences with traffic management during reconstruction led to the development of the travel impact evaluation process and the guidelines for selecting appropriate analysis tools presented herein. In summary, the magnitude of the capacity reduction (relative to traffic demand) on the highway being reconstructed determines the appropriate scope of the evaluation. If the capacity reductions are minor, then traffic is unlikely to divert from the reconstruction zone and the evaluation may be limited to the highway being reconstructed, in which case the evaluation could be performed using highway capacity analysis procedures or traffic simulation models. If capacity reductions are significant, then motorists are likely to change their travel patterns and the evaluation should be corridor‐wide, in which case an analysis tool with traffic assignment capabilities must be used.