Advancing Traffic Engineering Methods in Urban Environments

Managing traffic during complex transportation projects in dense urban locations such as New York City requires a collaboration between a variety of stakeholders and experts who create innovative analysis methodologies and simulations that can reimagine scenarios for even more out-of-the-box traffic engineering solutions.

By Dr. Babu K. Veeregowda, PE, PTOE | HNTB

Each project is unique, and selecting the best approach to traffic data collection, analysis, and management as part of infrastructure design requires careful analysis and understanding of the proposed options or methods. There are numerous modeling tools and technologies available to help make these decisions. Using technologies or tools that can synthesize traffic patterns and information into realistic data points helps create multiple views for planning purposes, aiding decision-making.

Some examples of these methods and their applications used in real world projects are as follows:

Using Static Analysis and Microsimulation to Accurately Measure Construction Conditions

All-Electronic Tolling (AET) is used to modernize toll bridges by integrating utility, vehicle, highway, and communication infrastructure. However, the process is complex due to the involvement of multiple stakeholders who own, manage and maintain these bridges.

An example is the transition of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ)’s Goethals Bridge in New York and New Jersey from manual to electronic operations, where the project team needed to make sure traffic queues didn’t clog and cause spillback.

To address this issue, an innovative solution was employed. During construction, various alternatives were considered, including combinations of E-ZPass-only and manually operated lanes to mitigate traffic congestion. The project team used a two-pronged approach to optimize traffic flow and the construction schedule. The first step was to use static modeling to eliminate most of the alternatives, while the second step involved fine-tuning the preferred alternative using an animated traffic simulation to visualize traffic patterns before actual implementation. In this case, the PANYNJ performed an after study during implementation and discovered that the simulation accurately predicted traffic behavior, enabling precise adjustments and confirming that the on-site queues aligned with the animated simulation results. The PANYNJ specifically requested that the transportation management plan from this project be used as their template for all future transportation management plans.

Innovative Solutions in Complex Environments

The Kosciuszko Bridge, part of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, is a crucial link in the New York City transportation network. Managed by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), the bridge carries the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway over Newtown Creek and thus its operational efficiency is paramount, and typically, lane closures are avoided to prevent major traffic delays, especially during peak hours. However, for the necessary construction work, closing one lane of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway became essential when a need arose to further improve the schedule and quality of construction.

The project team approached the situation by conducting comprehensive traffic analysis and modeling for the expansive area from adjacent Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods into Manhattan. Strategies were devised to mitigate local and regional traffic impacts and to manage congestion. By carefully managing traffic flow and avoiding excessive queues and delays, it allowed contractors to expedite construction despite the lane closure. This approach accelerated the construction schedule and improved the quality of the work. After reviewing the analysis, NYSDOT approved the lane closure, leading to enhanced project schedules and cost savings. The results demonstrated that effective traffic management and strategic planning could achieve both superior work quality and efficiency, even in complex urban environments.

Conclusion

Innovative, non-traditional approaches to infrastructure design, data collection, and transportation management can advance complex projects. By leveraging data, best practices, and collaboration with clients, stakeholders, and communities, these strategies enhance safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in the design and construction phases.