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ABSTRACT
Efficient transportation systems require proper understanding of traffic flow characteristics. This study analyzed traffic on the Benin-Uselu-Lagos highway in Nigeria using manual traffic counts and Underwood's traffic flow model. Vehicular data was collected continuously for a week segmented by vehicle class and 15- minute intervals. The average hourly flows ranged from 1575-1740 vehicles per hour depending on day of week. The space mean speeds calculated from time-mean speed equations varied between 46.8-53.8 km/hr over the days. Traffic density averaged 32-35 vehicles/km across the sections. Underwood’s model was calibrated by minimizing errors between modeled and observed speeds using regression analysis. The optimum values obtained were free flow speed of 55.8 km/hr, jam density of 325 veh/km, optimum speed of 44.2 km/hr, and optimum density of 69 veh/km. At optimum density, the roadway capacity was estimated as 3050 vehicles/hr. The model fitted the empirical speed-density data reasonably well, with a correlation coefficient of 0.895. The results provide insights into the prevailing traffic conditions and flow characteristics on this critical highway. Further research could assess impacts of traffic composition, driver behavior, and control strategies.
