Intelligent traffic guidance on the A8 highway
The A8 was widened to three lanes between Munich and Augsburg in order to improve the performance of the road network and minimize travel times. PTV Transport Consult was commissioned to develop traffic control measures that would help reduce the number of accidents on this route.
Route guidance helps achieve maximum performance and ensure road safety on highways. PTV provides support with expertise in the areas of road safety and traffic engineering for optimum highway network performance.
Project description
Our experts were commissioned to develop a RE* design for a route guidance system on the approx. 50 km long section of the A8 between the Munich-Eschenried interchange and the Neusäß junction. This included the preparation of site plans and a list of specifications.
*RE stands for a set of technical rules valid in Germany. These guidelines refer to the planning process and the uniform design of design documents in road construction.
Project details
Intelligent traffic control measures
Traffic control and information systems can transmit information that is relevant to road users. These systems are used on highly congested highway sections, such as the A8 between Munich and Augsburg. Occasionally, they are also installed and operated on federal roads.
Road network control systems use dynamic message signs (DMS) providing road users with information on traffic congestion to direct traffic from congested routes to those parts of the network that still have capacity to accommodate the motoring needs. Typical examples include the traffic guidance systems Leonberg – Walldorf (A8 - A5 / A81 - A6) or Cologne-Koblenz.
Route guidance systems are used for speed homogenization and lane signaling to stabilize traffic flow. This helps improve both road safety and performance.
One solution is temporary hard shoulder running, which means that the paved left or right shoulder lanes can be used as temporary or interim travel lanes offering critical additional capacity. In order to maintain a high level of safety despite the use of the shoulder as travel lane, extra lay-bys are installed on these road sections, including continuous video monitoring.
Project approach
First, an as-built survey of the roadway was conducted, including video inspection. The data was then processed based on standard benefit analysis methods. In addition, the consultants determined the economic viability of installing the traffic control systems on a section-by-section, direction-by-direction basis. Subsequently, a draft RE was prepared, including:
- Technical measures taken
- Accident situation
- Overview map
- Schematic plan
- Cost calculation (based on German AKVS regulations)
- Data transmission concept
- Circuit diagram
- Traffic sign contents
- Benefit analysis
- Detailed site plans
- List of specifications
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