Development of congestion index model and analysis of mitigation measures on urban arterials using microsimulation

Abstract

Traffic congestion is one of the main issues related to traffic engineering, planning, and policies that directly influence the economy, environment, and lifestyle in developing countries, particularly in India. This study's main objectives are to establish the congestion index model and analyze the various mitigation measures using microsimulation. The required data were collected from selected two corridors in Tiruchirappalli, India. A correlation test was performed to identify the significant parameters that influence traffic congestion. Congestion Indices and Travel time reliability measures were computed to quantify congestion. Using a conventional regression technique, the congestion index model was developed to predict the congestion levels. The validated model predicts the congestion accurately. The mentioned statistical tests and model development were performed in SPSS 25.0 software at 95% confidence interval. A VISSIM based microsimulation was calibrated and simulated various mitigation measures with possible scenarios. Thus, the mind-numbing traffic jams can be reduced, and as a result, a great loss for the Indian economy can be reduced.