Examining Traffic Flow Parameters at Merging Section on High-Speed Urban Roads in India

This study analyses micro-level and macro-level traffic parameters at merging location on high-speed urban roads in India. For this purpose, representative merging section was selected on Delhi–Gurgaon expressway. Speeds on different lanes at merging section were found to gradually decrease from median side lane to lane closer to merging point. At low and moderate flow conditions, most of the vehicles avoid moving in lanes closer to merging point in the main traffic stream. This is done to reduce the crash as well as to avoid competing for the same road space. Speed versus flow relationship developed for basic roadway section and merging section shows the difference in capacity by almost 8% due to merging operation. Moreover, stream speed at the merging is found to be the function of main stream flow and entry flow. The findings from the study would be useful in operational analysis of merging sections on high-speed urban roads in India.