Research on rural traffic operations

The Australian Road Research Board has a continuing program of research on rural traffic behaviour. Studies over recent years have included overtaking and speed behaviour, vehicle acceleration, traffic simulation, traffic flow and capacity, and the delineation of short radius curves. Current research in this area aims to investigate the overall performance of the rural traffic stream under various road and traffic conditions. The TRARR simulation model is being used for this purpose, supported by field data collection and mathematical modelling. At the same time, road safety is being investigated through projects on curve delineation, shoulder design and the effect of speed on accidents. This paper briefly reviews ARRB research on rural traffic operations and safety, with particular emphasis on traffic simulation. The TRARR simulation model is now available on the Queensland Main Roads Department computer, and has been applied to a case study on the bruce highway north of bundaberg. At ARRB, simulation studies have provided preliminary guidelines for rural road improvements, and demonstrated a new approach to level of service based on traffic bunching (a).