Predicting traffic flows at two-lane highway work zones

Maintenance or reconstruction activity on a two-lane highway often requires a lane closure. The implementation of one-way traffic control, required to maintain traffic flow throughout the work zone, typically produces significant motorist delay. This report describes the adaptation and application of queueing models, originally derived for intersections controlled by vehicle-actuated traffic signals, to estimate delay at two-lane highway work zones. The models estimate expected delay as a function of directional traffic demand rates, work zone physical length and observed traffic measures. Validation efforts using simulation suggest that the models accurately predict the impacts of two-lane highway lane closures.