Simulation of road speed-sectioning by assessing the impact of traffic and road infrastructure

CETRA 2020, 6th International Conference on Road and Rail Infrastructure - Online, Pula, CROATIE, 20-/05/2021 - 21/05/2021; In a context of climate change, lowering road vehicles consumption is a key point to meet CO2 reduction requirements. In addition to car technological advances, eco-driving is part of the solution but the road infrastructure should ensure its development. In a previous study, a gain of 5% in the spent energy was estimated on specific route by slightly moving some speed signs, but under the assumptions that drivers practice eco-driving and the traffic is free-flow. This paper deepens and widens these first results. The base of this research is to provide a simulation model to study the impact of traffic and speed-sectioning on the environment. Inside this model, the impact of different approach speeds to a speed-sectioning is assessed. The simulation is conducted within the Trafficware Synchro environment where parameters according to road infrastructure, vehicle and driver are based on real traffic data. Moving a speed limitation sign can contribute to a reduction of fuel consumption up to 8% depending on driver structure. This new methodology improves the accuracy of our first results and detects adverse effects as the possible emergence of congestion due to the modification of speed sectioning. In perspective this methodology represents a significant argument in road managers strategy. In addition it also represents an orienting point to investigate different action scenarios and a first step to a global optimization policy in managing road infrastructure.