Traffic Impact Analysis on the Operational and Functional / Structural Performance of Highway-A Case Study of Motorway M-1

Abstract

Urban sprawl and the exponential traffic growth in the developing countries, like Pakistan, affect transportation systems in general and highway infrastructure. Traffic Impact Analysis evaluates the adequacy of a highway facility to serve a proposed/ upcoming development, and its expected effects on the transportation system. Comprehensive and coordinated transportation planning is critical to providing a balanced transportation system. Highway construction and its connectivity with existing motorways can reasonably be expected to generate more vehicle trips. M-1 is the major motorway in Pakistan connecting major cities of Peshawar and Islamabad. In the recent past, traffic growth due to inter-connectivity of M-1 with newly constructed Swat Motorway and E-35/ Hazara Motorway, causes degradation in operational performance in terms of long queues and vehicular delays especially while approaching exit toll plaza near Islamabad. Due to these conditions, the Islamabad bound commuter traffic (southbound traffic) is facing inconvenience and traffic delays on Islamabad Toll plaza. Moreover, manifestation of rutting and fatigue cracking is the evidence of the additional traffic load beyond the pavement’s capacity. This study is focused on traffic impact analysis on operational and functional/ structural performance of M-1. Existing and future projected traffic volumes and/or the peak hour toll counts/ queues due to recent development are evaluated to analyze the existing and future operational performance of the transportation system, including levels of service (LOS) and volume/ capacity ratios (v/c) using PTV VISSIM® micro-simulation software within the study area. Physical performance included functional and structural evaluation using distress survey techniques and PaveXpress® tool, respectively. The study results help estimating the remaining design life, future maintenance and Rehabilitation needs and suggest a viable solution to reduce the vehicular delays on toll plaza of Motorway M-1.