Study and analysis of traffic impacts from the activation of the Automatic Multi-lane Free Flow (M-Flow) Toll Collection System : A Case Study of the Bangna KM.6 Toll Plaza (Inbound)

Abstract

The problem of congestion in front of the toll gate is one of the main traffic problems on the Expressway. The Expressway Authority of Thailand therefore has studied and developed a new type of toll collection system, which is an automatic Multi-lane Free Flow (M-Flow) toll collection system, so that vehicles can pass through the toll gates faster without interruption. The development of M-Flow will cause changes in the physical toll plaza that will affect the traffic conditions on the expressways as well. This paper presents an analysis of traffic impacts on the Bangna Km. 6 toll plaza (inbound) when the M-Flow system is activated using a traffic model development technique through the Aimsun program to assess the traffic conditions that occur both before and after change in the toll collection system, both during peak hours and off-peak hours by dividing the situation that is consistent with the traffic volume forecast in the 1st year, 5th year and 10th year respectively. The study found that the development of M-Flow reduced the average delay, queuing, and total travel time, while the average speed tended to increase. However, the change in the aforementioned traffic condition variable depends on the ratio of users of the M-Flow. If the ratio of M-Flow users is increased, the traffic conditions on the Expressway will be more efficient.