Webinar: Improved Traffic Management Guidance: Freeway Capacity Analysis

Freeway capacity analysis (FCA) is an important process that is undertaken when determining the scope and details of a freeway build or upgrade project and is generally undertaken during the planning and development phases of the project. Freeway capacity is also important for managing freeway operations, to ensure peak flows don’t cause flow breakdown. Traditionally, capacity has been determined as the highest flow at the peak of the speed-flow curve. However, such peak flows are rarely sustainable.

In recent times, practitioners in freeway planning, design and operation, both in Australia and overseas, have been investigating the probability of flow breakdown. In doing so, they have determined maximum sustainable flow rates that can be maintained over peak periods to maximise freeway throughput and productivity. These refined capacity values are marginally below the traditional capacity values currently in the Austroads guides.

Freeways have three main elements from which their capacity is composed, namely:

• basic freeway segments that are outside the influence of any ramp or weaving area
• entry and exit ramps which provide access to and from the freeway
• weaving areas, which are sections of freeway on which two or more vehicle flows must cross, such as when a merge area is closely followed by a diverge area.

Austroads’ report Improved Traffic Management Guidance: Freeway Capacity Analysis reviews the latest research and practices in freeway capacity analysis and makes recommendations for updating Austroads FCA guidance.

This webinar will present the research and findings outlined in the report, including the consultations with practitioners from across Australia and New Zealand, the comparative study of different capacity analysis methodologies and the recommendations made for updating Austroads FCA guidance.

Presented by Paul Bennett and Graham McCabe.

There will be question and answer opportunities at the end of the session.

Paul Bennett is a Senior Technology Leader in the Future Transport Systems team at the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) providing research, consulting and information services to the Australian state road authorities and transport industry.

Paul’s expertise lies in traffic management, particularly with regard to traffic congestion. Paul has led a number of Austroads projects to develop traffic management guidance including recommendations for freeway capacity analysis, harmonised guide content for the design and operation of managed motorways across Australia and New Zealand and principles and strategies for improving operations at the interfaces of managed motorways with arterial roads.

Paul has developed a number of analytical tools used for modelling traffic and economic evaluation of intersection projects and worked on a number of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) projects, including the Austroads Cooperative ITS project.

Graham McCabe is a transport planner and traffic engineer with over 25 years’ experience in developing and leading innovative transport planning and traffic engineering projects. Graham has deep experience and understanding in the interrelationship between land-use, activity and transport. He has developed innovative designs to enable improved connectivity at a human and city-scale and specialises in cost-effective, holistic transport solutions.

Graham has expertise in transport planning, public transport system design, traffic engineering and modelling, and designing for walking and cycling. A trusted advisor to government, he has worked closely with senior executives in Australia and the Philippines.

He has previously worked for Transport for NSW, GHD, Roads and Maritime Services and City of Sydney. Graham is a member of the Smart Cities Councils Urban Mobility Taskforce and Future of Place Taskforce and on the Property Council of Australia Illawarra Committee.

No charge but registration is essential. Can’t make the live session? Register and we’ll send you a link to the recording.

Register now!