Transcript DYNAMIC SHOULDER LANES I-75

What is a Dynamic Shoulder Lane?
 Consists of the use of the roadway shoulder as a
general purpose lane only during periods of very
high traffic congestion.
 The temporary use of the shoulder will provide an
effective and economic alternative to relieve heavy
traffic congestion.
 Shoulder utilization as a general use lane is
restricted once more normal traffic flow conditions
are established.
How do you implement a Dynamic Shoulder?
 Effective dynamic shoulder implementation requires full
integration with Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)
technology.
 ITS will provide the technical infrastructure (traffic video,
dynamic message signs, speed sensors, etc.) for
implementation while supporting a platform for effective
communication with the driving public.
 ITS is critical in the monitoring of traffic conditions, shoulder
availability, and when high congestion begins to prevail, it will
instruct the traveling public to begin using the shoulder.
 High operational speeds are not permitted on the shoulder.
When high operational speeds are being detected, the
traveling public will be advised to discontinue the use of the
shoulder.
Nationwide Applications: I-66 in Virginia
 The system allows the use of the right shoulder as travel lanes
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during designated peak traffic hours. Illustrations to follow.
Shoulder is open on a scheduled basis. Monday – Friday only.
Emergency pull off areas are provided next to the shoulder.
Virginia DOT’s managed lane system is a cost effective and
efficient way to increase capacity of the facility.
A safety analysis presented no evidence that the managed
lane approach during peak hours affects the crash frequency
of the study area.
Lessons learned: Enhanced dynamic message signs are
essential, improve incident detection and quicken response
time.
I-66 Virginia
I-66 Virginia
I-66 Virginia
I-66 Virginia
Dynamic Shoulder Context
 Dynamic shoulder is a component of Active Traffic
Management (ATM) technology.
 ATM seeks to effectively and efficiently use the
existing transportation facility available capacity.
 ATM uses different applications – speed
harmonization, queue warning, High Occupancy
Vehicles, dynamic shoulders, dynamic signing and
rerouting, among others.
ATM Background
 ATM applications are well developed in Europe
(Germany, England, Denmark, Netherlands).
 These countries use a combination of previously
mentioned traffic strategies.
 Specific benefits derived from these applications:
 Increase in overall capacity.
 Decrease in the number of accidents.
 An overall harmonization of speeds during
high congestion.
 Reduction in traffic delays.
Germany - Frankfurt
M42 - England
M42 - England
Transportation Benefits for I-75
 Upgrading from 3-L to 4-L along I-75 only during peak
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hour congestion can reduce vehicle density per lane by
26% in peak hour conditions.
Upgrading from 3-L to 4-L will increase service volume
capacity by 34%.
Overall, the service capacity of the interstate can be
extended by several years at a much lower cost than
traditional roadway widening.
The inside shoulder was built with adequate strength
under the “value added” benefit derived by the I-75 IROX
Design Build type bidding.
The dynamic shoulder ITS will be integrated with the
existing active I-75 ITS.
I-75 – Lee County
I-75 – Lee County
Conclusion
 Recommend implementation of Dynamic Shoulder Lanes
along a 12- to 14-mile segment of I-75 (Lee County), pending
FHWA coordination.
 Estimated cost per mile of Dynamic Shoulder Lanes: $1.5 $2.5 million. Cost of comparable traditional roadway
expansion (6-L to 8-L) is approximately $5.5 - $6.5 million.
 The Dynamic Shoulder benefits would add 34% of additional
capacity to the system. This will reduce heavy congestion,
noise and contamination.
 FHWA is very supportive of these technological innovations
as an effective solution to vehicular congestion. It has been
successfully implemented domestically and abroad.
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