LEVEL-OF-SERVICE ANALYSIS OF TOLL PLAZAS ON FREEWAY MAIN LINES

This paper describes the performance of toll plaza operations and the methodology developed for the study. The operating characteristics of toll plazas based on field data and simulation are described, and the essential features of the methodology are discussed. The methodology for level-of-service analysis relies on a simulation model. Called the toll-plaza simulation model (TPS), it is written in FORTRAN 77 and is intended for personal computer applications. TPS was used to analyze the characteristics of traffic operations at toll gates. Based on existing practices in toll plaza management and the understanding of the characteristics of traffic operations at toll plazas, a methodology for level-of-service analysis is recommended for planning and operational applications.