Method to Comprehensively Evaluate Road Network Traffic Conditions during Freeway Reconstruction and Extension

A method to comprehensively evaluate the traffic operational status during the reconstruction and extension of an freeway network is proposed. This approach guarantees the traffic capacity during freeway reconstruction and extension and aims to optimize the traffic flow of a regional road network. The method is based on the status quo of the road network traffic flow, the feasibility of the road network diversion, and the rationality of the traffic organization of the key nodes. The various indexes of the road network that are affected by the reconstruction and extension are analyzed by considering the Shenshan Expressway as an example. The capacity model for an expressway reconstruction and extension project is established by considering the constraints of the regional road network, such as the road service level. The influence of the reconstruction and extension on the traffic capacity for the control nodes of the expressway is analyzed using the VISSIM software. The results show that the reconstruction and extension project negatively impacts the traffic operation status of the entire road network where the construction section is located. Using the proposed comprehensive evaluation method to determine the traffic operation status of the road network allows the feasibility of the bottleneck sections and the associated diversion schemes to be analyzed. This effectively alleviates the traffic pressure from the reconstruction and expansion sections through optimal use of the existing road resources.