Assessing the Effectiveness of Exclusive Truck Lanes: A Korean Expressways Case Study

Kiyoung Lee; Hyunjin Park; Seongkwan Mark Lee

doi:10.46604/aiti.2024.14507

Authors

Kiyoung Lee Korea Expressway Corporation Research Center, Dongtan, Republic of Korea
Hyunjin Park Korea Expressway Corporation Research Center, Dongtan, Republic of Korea
Seongkwan Mark Lee School of Liberal Studies, Kunsan National University, Gunsan, Republic of Korea

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46604/aiti.2024.14507

Keywords:

exclusive truck lane, simulation, VISSIM, travel speed, speed standard deviation

Abstract

This study investigates the operational and safety impacts of introducing exclusive truck lanes on the Gyeongbu Expressway in South Korea, addressing the necessity of such lanes due to the disparities in vehicle weight and performance between trucks and passenger cars. The study focused on the 33.2 km, one-way, four-lane Chilgok-Mulryu to Gimcheon segment, adhering to international installation criteria. Using the micro-simulation tool VISSIM, the rightmost lane was modeled as exclusive for trucks, and traffic operations and safety were analyzed under varying conditions of Level of Service (LOS). Under LOS C, the exclusive truck lane reduced the speed standard deviation (a surrogate safety measure) with minimal travel speed reduction. Conversely, under LOS A with low traffic, average travel speed declined, and speed standard deviation increased due to limited truck usage. These findings highlight the need for flexible truck lane management tailored to traffic and road conditions.

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