Highlights We use a microscale modeling platform to assess Traffic Management Strategies. We study the impact of HOV/eco-lanes in different road types on emissions. HOV/eco-lanes in a medium European city are feasible in terms of emissions. On freeways, passengers can reduce travel time (2%) and emissions (37% to 43%). On urban and arterials, emissions can be reduced if the AOV increases.
Abstract Innovative traffic management measures are needed to reduce transportation-related emissions. While in Europe, road lane management has focused mainly on introduction of bus lanes, the conversion to High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) and eco-lanes (lanes dedicated to vehicles running on alternative fuels) has not been studied comprehensively. The objectives of this research are to: (1) Develop an integrated microscopic modeling platform calibrated with real world data to assess both traffic and emissions impacts of future Traffic Management Strategies (TMS) in an urban area; (2) Evaluate the introduction of HOV/eco-lanes in three different types of roads, freeway, arterial and urban routes, in an European medium-sized city and its effects in terms of emissions and traffic performance. The methodology consists of three distinct phases: (a) Traffic and road inventory data collection; (b) Traffic and emissions simulation using an integrated platform of microscopic simulation; and (c) Evaluation of scenarios. For the baseline scenario, the statistical analysis shows valid results. The results show that HOV and eco-lanes in a medium European city are feasible, and when the Average Occupancy of Vehicles (AOV) increases, on freeways, the majority of vehicles can reduce their travel time (2%) with a positive impact in terms of total emissions (−38% NOx, −39% HC, −43% CO and −37% CO2). On urban and arterial corridors, the reduction in emissions could be achieved only if the AOV increases from 1.50 to 1.70passengers/vehicle. Total emissions of the corridor with an AOV of 1.70passengers/vehicle can be reduced up to 35–36% for the urban route while the values can be reduced by 36–39% for the arterial road. With the introduction of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) and Electric Vehicles (EV) it is possible to reduce emissions, although the introduction of eco-lanes did not show significant reductions in emissions. When both policies are simulated together, an emissions improvement is observed for the arterial route and for two of the scenarios.
Are HOV/eco-lanes a sustainable option to reducing emissions in a medium-sized European city?
Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice ; 63 ; 93-106
2014-03-10
14 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Are HOV/eco-lanes a sustainable option to reducing emissions in a medium-sized European city?
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