Influence of Pavement Condition on Headway and Average Travel Speed

Abstract: Pavement surface conditions have an influence on traffic safety, operating speed, manoeuvrability, and driver comfort and service volume. Although many researchers have studied the influence of different roadway characteristics on traffic stream characteristics and performance, little research has been conducted to investigate the impact of pavement conditions on traffic stream characteristics. To evaluate the capacity and service level of road section accurately, it is necessary to study the quantified influence of pavement on headway and average travel speed. In this project work, pothole width, rut depth etc. were used as indicators to evaluate the status of damaged pavements. Based on the parameter surveyed on different pavement sections, the effects of pavement condition on headway and average travel speed are analysed. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of pavement condition on headway and average travel speed. From the study it was identified that the pavement condition has a greater influence on speed and headway. Section 5, 7, 10, 11 are in good condition and section 15 is rated as serious. Maximum speed obtained is 52.5 kmph and minimum speed obtained is 25 kmph. It is found that at distressed sections headway value is high and average speed value obtained is less. Models were developed to predict the headway and average speed based on shoulder width, flow and PCI value.

Keywords: Pavement distress, Headway, Average speed, PCI value.