Framework of microscopic traffic flow simulation on highway infrastructure system under hazardous driving conditions

A typical highway system includes infrastructures, such as roadways and bridges, and moving traffic flow. The resilience of a highway system subjected to various hazards depends on not only post-hazard integrity of infrastructure, but also safe and smooth movements of vehicles through the system during and immediately following hazards. To rationally predict the post-hazard performance of a highway system including both structural integrity and traffic functionality, an advanced traffic flow simulation tool of a highway system under hazardous conditions is needed. A new cellular automaton (CA)-based traffic flow simulation framework is developed for the traffic flow simulation on a typical highway system including a long-span bridge under hazardous conditions by incorporating limited deceleration rate, anticipation effect, realistic vehicle properties, and different driving behaviors. A demonstrative study is carried out with the proposed framework to investigate the traffic flow characteristics and potential impacts on both infrastructure performance and vehicle safety. © 2017, © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.