Traffic Flow Characteristics and Congestion Evolution Rules for Urban Road Networks during Special Events

摘要

To cope with the traffic congestion in urban road networks brought by special events, the primary and fundamental problem is to find out the traffic flow characteristics and congestion evolution rules. This paper intends to solve this problem according to the analyses of actual traffic data. First of all, new definition and classification of special events from the perspective of transportation are carried out. Then, the characteristics of traffic demands created by special events are explored through analyzing the actual data collected in Shanghai. Furthermore, five characteristics and operating rules of the road traffic flow during special events are summarized while three key features of congestion evolution during special events are discovered. Also, a comparative analysis is conducted on the similar or dissimilar traffic operation and congestion evolution characteristics of various types of special events.