Assessment of Travel-Time Reliability and Operational Resilience of Metro Freeway Corridors

Summary:

The Twin Cities freeways struggle with traffic congestion and delays when on- and off-ramps are not spaced effectively. Poor placement creates geometric friction, with cars weaving among lanes as they enter and exit the freeway. Understanding the effects of geometric friction can assist MnDOT in future planning efforts to reduce congestion and increase travel-time reliability. Freeway corridors and networks are susceptible to variations in travel times and performance. Increasing the resilience—the ability to withstand disturbances such as accidents and poor weather—of the freeway corridors and network is an important aspect of maintaining a high level of service. MnDOT used a Travel-Time Reliability Estimation System and resilience model with weather-related data to evaluate individual and corridor-wide operational resilience. The results indicated lower reliability and resilience in freeway segments with higher geometric friction.

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