Problem 2:

The volume of two lane highway is 1500 veh/hr in each direction and
density is 25 veh/mi. A large dump truck loaded with soil from an
adjacent construction site joins the traffic stream and travel at speed
of 20 mi/hr for a length of 2.5 mi along the upgrade before turning off
unto a dump site. Due to the relatively high flow in the opposite
direction, it is impossible for any car to pass the trucks. Vehicles just
follow behind the truck. Therefore have to travel at the speed of the
truck which results in the formation of platoon having a density of
100 veh/mi and a flow of 1000 veh/hr. Determine how many vehicles
will be in the platoon by the time the trucks leaves the highway.

Solution

uw = q2-q1 / k2-k1

= 1000 – 1500 / 100 – 25 = -6.7 mi/h

Growth rate of the platoon or relative speed

Ur = u- uw = 20-(-6.7) = 26.7 mi/h

Timpe spent by the truck on the highway

Speed = 20mi/h

Length of the platoon = 2.5 mi

2.5 mi / (20 mi/h) = 0.125 h

Therefore the length of the platoon by the time leaves the highway

0.125h * 26.7mi/h = 3.3 mi

Number of veh in the platoon,

Density of the platoon, q platoon = 100 veh/mi

Number of vehicle = (100 veh/mi) * 3.3 mi = 330 veh

Shock Waves

1. A slow moving truck drives along the roadway at 10 MPH. The existing conditions on
the roadway before the truck enters are shown at point 1 below: 40 mph, flow of 1000
vehicles per hour, and density of 25 vehicles per mile. The truck enters the roadway
and causes a queue of vehicles to build, giving the characteristics of point 2 below:
flow of 1200 vehicles per hour and a density of 120 vehicles per mile. Using the
information provided below, find the velocity of the shockwave at the front and back
of the platoon.

Point 1: Normal flow ( us = 40 MPH, k=25 veh/mi, q= 1000 vph.

Point 2: Slow Truck: ( us = 10 MPH, k=120 veh/mi, q= 1200 vph.

 Solution

Figures 3.6.2 and 3.6.3, shown below, illustrate the behavior of the vehicles that are impacted
by the shockwave.

The speed of the shockwave in front of the truck at point A-A ( qb= 0, kb = 0) can be found by
substituting the correct values into the general shockwave equation. Upon substitution, as
shown below, we find that the shockwave is moving at the same speed as the truck, or 10
MPH downstream with reference to a stationary point on the roadway.
Solving for the speed of the shockwave at the end of the platoon (B-B) is accomplished by
substituting the correct values into the general shockwave equation.

qa= 1000 vph, ka=25 vpm

qb= 1200 vph, kb =120 vpm

The (+) sign indicates that the shockwave is moving downstream with respect to a fixed
observer.

A-A moves forward relative to the roadway at 10 MPH

B-B moves forward relative to the roadway at 2.1 MPH

Platoon Growth: 10-2.1 = 7.9 MPH