Lab Exercise Two: Shock Waves/Queue Formation

A freeway in Thrillville with two lanes in one direction has a capacity of 2000 vphpl under normal stable flow conditions. On a particular morning, one of these lanes becomes blocked by a small accident for 15 minutes, beginning at 7 a.m. The arrival pattern of vehicles is as follows:

Time/Flow (vph)
7-8 a.m./4000
8-9 a.m./3900
9-10 a.m./3500
After 10 a.m /2800

This assignment is divided into two cases:

(a) the capacity of this section reduces to 1800 vphpl under unstable or forced flow conditions,

(b) the capacity of the section remains 2000 vphpl under forced flow conditions.

Please determine the following for each case above:

1. How long a queue will be established due to this blockage?
2. When will the maximum queue occur?
3. How long will it take to dissipate the queue from the time of the breakdown?

Tasks to be Completed

Task 1: Identify the type of problem and use the appropriate analytical tools to answer the questions. State your analysis approach.

Task 2: Clearly lay out your solution and write up your solution in a brief report. Make sure that you clearly label any and all graphs that you use as part of your solution.