Assessment of Traffic Conditions at Din Daeng Toll Plaza from Multi-Lane Free Flow (M-Flow) Toll System Implementation by using a Traffic Micro-Simulation Model

Abstract

At present, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is studying and installing Multi-Lane Free Flow (M-Flow) toll collection system over the expressway network in order to reduce the problem of congestion in front of the toll plazas. The opening of the M-Flow will effected to in the physical characteristics and traffic conditions in front of the toll plazas. This paper presents an assessment of the traffic condition of the Din Daeng toll plaza when using M-Flow system and compare the traffic impact before and after improving the physical characteristics of the toll plaza to support the service of the M-Flow toll collection system in the 1st year, 5th year, and 10th year, both during peak and off-peak hours through the Aimsun program. The study found that the opening of the M-Flow toll collection system service at Din Daeng toll plaza in the 1st year, 5th year, and 10th year, both during peak and off-peak hours, can reduce delay time, queue length, and travel time when the proportion of users of the M-Flow toll collection system increases. In addition, the proportion of M-Flow’s users directly affects to the number of traffic lane managements at the exits of the toll plazas.