- Location #1
Basswood Ave. to
Anderson Rd.
0.64 km (.40 mi)
- Location #2
Anderson Rd. to
Cub Foods.
0.40 km (0.25 mi)
- Location #3
Cub Foods Entrance. to
Trinity Rd.
0.40 km (0.25 mi)
- Location #4
Cottonwood Ave.
to JCPenny's Mall Entrance.
0.32 km (0.20 mi)
- Location #5
JCPenny's Mall Entrance
to Maple Grove Rd.
0.32 km (0.20 mi)
- Location #6
Maple Grove Rd. to
Haines Rd.
0.97 km (0.60 mi)
- Location #7
Arlington Ave. to
Basswood Ave.
0.24 km (0.15 mi)
- Location #8
Trinity Rd. to
Cottonwood Ave.
0.97 Km (0.60 Mi)
Links to Project Info:
Links to Software:
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Traffic Flow Study of the Miller
Hill Corridor
-- Traffic Flow Modeling, Simulation, and Signal Timing Plans Evaluation
of the Miller Hill Corridor -- |
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The Miller Hill corridor is recognized as one of the most heavily
traveled and congested roadways in the Duluth area. Recurrent heavy
traffic flow occurs in both eastbound and westbound directions along
the corridor most of the day. This project focused on the traffic
flowing modeling, simulation, and signal timing plans evaluation of
the Miller Hill corridor on Highway 194 (Central Entrance - Miller
Trunk Highway) between Arlington Avenue and Haines Road (Duluth-Hermantown
city limit). Along this 2.95-mile corridor, there are nine signalized
intersections with speed limits 30 mph and 45 mph. A real-time traffic
data collection system was developed which can collect traffic data,
improve data accuracy, and provide data in several locations on the
corridor not currently covered by the loop detectors. In the second
part of this project, the traffic flow modeling using a modified
Papageorgiou's traffic flow model "D" was conducted. Using the
collected data, the model parameters identification was formulated
as a least squares optimization problem which was then solved in
the MATLAB environment. In the third part of this research, a
traffic simulation system architecture including the calibrated
model, the RTMS traffic detector, the data base system, and the data
interfacing/handling system, was further developed. Based on the
system implemented, an extensive traffic simulation study (during
the weekdays PM rush hours) was performed. Finally, the results
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were analyzed and used to evaluate alternative traffic signal timing
control plans on the corridor. The Synchro software was used in final
stage of this project. The main goal of this research is to study the
traffic flow on the corridor and develop a better signal timing plan
to improve the efficiency of the traffic movement in that area.
Relevence
to ITS Integration
Miller Hill is a main traffic corridor and also a transit route in Duluth.
This corridor is of great importance not onlt to Duluth's economy but to the
region's as well. Therefore, the ability to better understand the traffic
flow along this corridor will provide for better overall traffic management
and better traveler information.
Expected
Benefits
This research provided a better understanding of the traffic behavior
along the Miller Hill corridor. The data collection system can further
improve the accuracy of the traffic data on the corridor, especially
at the locations not covered by the loop detectors. It can also be used
to cross check the data received from the intersection detectors already
installed. The traffic flow modeling and simulation results lay the
foundation to further develop an improved traffic light signal timing
plan (e.g., optimal split times and offsets), which can also complement
the timing plans adjustment partially based on field observations. The
results of this project can, therefore, be used to develop a more
effective control strategy to provide orderly movement of traffic,
shortened average vehicle delay, congestion prevention, and improved
road utilization. For instance, from this study it is possible to develop
an areawide adaptive traffic signal control system to continuously monitor
current traffic flow conditions and provide optimal allocation
of green-yellow-red signal duration time to different traffic streams
in order to minimize the queues at the intersections along the roadway
considered. The results of this research are available and should also
be valuable to the MnDOT District One in the management of traffic flow
on the Highway 194 corridor.
Acknowledgments
This research was conducted with funding from the RSPA and the Minnesota
Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Guidestar Program. The Principle
Investigator of this project was Dr. Jiann-Shiou Yang (ECE Professor at UMD),
and the research assistants were Todd Barnacle, Bill Schwalbe and Rob Martinson.
The Technical Liaison was Roberta Dwyer, MnDOT District One Maintenance Operations
Engineer. The research team would also like to thank Mars Cys, the City of
Duluth traffic signal engineer, whose help was instrumental to the traffic
signal timing analysis in this study.
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