Comparative Analysis of FRESIM and 1994 Highway Capacity Manual Models for Ramp Junctions with an Independent Data Base

Abstract

The results of a comparative analysis of the 1994 Highway Capacity Manual (94HCM) ramp junction models and the FRESIM simulator model with an independent data base are described. The analysis was done as part of NCHRP Project 3-37 (Phase II), whose objective was to identify and investigate common ranges of application, consistency of internal logic, consistency of results, and potential modification to both the 94HCM and the FRESIM models. The results indicate that FRESIM may be a reasonable tool for predicting operational parameters within the area of ramp junctions for isolated ramps, although they also indicate that FRESIM may not be sensitive enough to some geometric parameters to be used confidently in its current form.