Traffic modelling of urban toll corridors : a review of current South African practice, as applied within the Johannesburg Pretoria toll corridor

Abstract

Paper presented at the 20th Annual South African Transport Conference 16 - 20 July 2001 "Meeting the transport challenges in Southern Africa", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT: This paper examines the evolution of traffic modelling techniques in congested urban networks, with specific reference to the recently completed development Gautrans Provincial Toll Study. It presents illustrative techniques in the following areas: •The use of matrix estimation techniques within a framework of comprehensive traffic counts, roadside interviews and other origin-destination information. •The role of stated and revealed preference studies to establish acceptable monetary values of time whereby toll tariffs can be incorporated into driver route choice. •Stochastic user equilibrium traffic assignment techniques, which address variations in driver perceptions in travel costs, under congested and free-flow conditions. •Model calibrations to meet external audit requirements. •The application of micro-simulation models to supplement operational analyses of toll plazas,interchanges and critical intersections. The presentation focuses on the broader principles of urban toll modelling by clarifying the conceptual approach, as opposed to in-depth technical analyses.