Analysis of Queue Formation and Dissipation in Work Zones

Studies on queue length and delay estimation have considered work zone as a single bottleneck. This work is the first study that acknowledges the presence of two locations that can be considered as potential bottlenecks: The work space and the transition area. Mechanism of queue propagation and dissipation are investigated by applying the shockwave theory on several initial traffic conditions that may happen in work zones. The study will address conditions under which these two bottlenecks will be functioning independently and when they interact with each other. Queue propagation and dissipation are estimated for a work zone using field data and the results are compared with the queue lengths observed in the field. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.