Universidad Nacional de Colombia at Medellin

Department of Civil Engineering

–Traffic Engineering–
Carlos A. González-Calderón

Homework #2

Problem 1 [10 points]: Problem

5-3 in the Textbook.

Problem 2 [10 points]: Problem

5-7 in the Textbook.

Problem 3 [10 points]: Problem

5-8 in the Textbook.

Problem 4 [20 points]

Assuming a linear speed-density relationship, the mean free-flow speed is observed to be 100 km/h
near zero density, and the corresponding jam density is about 120 veh/km. Assume that the average length
of vehicles is 5.5 m.
4.a (5 points) write down the speed-density and flow-density equations.
4.b (5 points) Draw the v-k, v-q, and q-k diagrams and indicate critical values.
4.c (5 points) Compute speeds and densities corresponding to a flow of 1000 veh/hr, describing traffic
conditions from a driver’s point of view.
4.d (5 points) Compute the average headways, spacings, and gaps (in meter) at maximum flow and at
jam density.

Problem 5 [30 points]

Table 1 contains a sample of data collected by the inductance loop stations on the three-lane (each
direction) freeway segment shown in Figure 1. The data represent 15-minute averages of counts and
occupancy compiled over each of the loops for twenty observations comprising a variety of flow
conditions. Averages across all three loops are also provided in the table. (Assume that the average
vehicle length has been determined to be 18ft.)

Figure 1 Freeway Segment and Loop Stations

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 Table 1 Detector Data

Answer the following questions regarding this section of highway:

5.a. (10 points) Plot the fundamental diagram (flow-density curve), and estimate the capacity of this
section of the highway.
5.b (10 points) Estimate the flow (vph) and density (vpm) if the average speed of the traffic stream
is 30 mph.
5.c (10 points) Estimate the critical speed and critical density, i.e., the speed and density at the
capacity.

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Problem 6 [20 points]
Traffic on a three-lane (in each direction) freeway observes the following Greenshild’s flow
relationship:

q=60k(1-k/360)

Where q is the traffic flow on vehicle per hour, and k is the traffic density in vehicle per mile. At
10:00am, an accident occurs at point A in Figure 2. The vehicles involved immediately pulled off onto
the shoulder of the road, but traffic passing the incident slows to 10 mph as drivers survey the damage on
the side of the road (sometimes called “spectator slowing”). Lucy enters the freeway via an on-ramp at
point B, also at 10:00am. Upon entering the freeway, she notes that traffic on the freeway is moving
along at about 40 mph.

Figure 2 Accident Scene

6a. (10 points) How fast (i.e., at what speed) will backup from the “spectator slowing” progress
upstream of the accident site?
6b. (10 points) When (i.e., at what time) will Lucy first hit slowing traffic due to the accident?