QUICKZONE DELAY ESTIMATION SOFTWARE:NOVA SCOTIA CASE STUDIES

摘要

QuickZone is a work zone delay estimation software program developed by the United StatesrnDepartment of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) designed to quantifyrnwork zone impacts in terms of queues, user delay, travel behavior and costs. FHWA contractedrnwith Mitretek Systems, a non-profit scientific and engineering research corporation, contractedrnto develop QuickZone. In 2001, the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and PublicrnWorks acquired a beta version of QuickZone from Mitretek Systems to beta-test and providernfeedback on various aspects of the look, feel and use.rnQuickZone is one of the first analytical tools that allow for quick and flexible estimation ofrnimpacts to motorists due to roadway construction. QuickZone allows users to 1) Quantifyrncorridor delay resulting from capacity decreases in work zones; 2) Identify delay impacts ofrnalternative project plans; and 3) Support tradeoff analyses between construction costs and delayrncosts. The software support all four phases of the project development process including policy,rnplanning, design and operation.rnThe Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works has been using QuickZonernsoftware to help analyze a number of construction projects where traffic delays were expected tornhave a significant impact on its highway users. In addition, the Department has been a keyrnpartner in development process by providing feedback to the software developers to help themrnimprove the software and its application.rnThis paper will address three topics. First the paper will describe the development of thernsoftware, its intended uses and the role of the Department in the software development process.rnSecond, the paper will outline several case studies from Nova Scotia where QuickZone has beenrnused to assist in the planning of highway improvement projects. Finally, the paper will providernsome guidance on how QuickZone can be applied in other Provinces throughout Canada.