Global dynamic network loading queuing model for toll stations on freeway ramps
High global interweaving proportions and frequent lane changes at freeway ramp toll stationsoften lead to localized queuing phenomena, exerting congestion pressure on the toll stations. To quan-titatively assess the toll stations' global queue status in real-time, this paper presents a vehicular queu-ing calculation method for the ramp-to-station front plaza. Firstly, the paper analyzes factors influenc-ing queuing in various sections of the toll station, considering the average vehicular transit time within the station, along with service times of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) and Manual Toll Collection (MTC), as indicators of non-congested free flow times at the toll station. Secondly, based on the ramp's inflow rate and the toll station's outflow rate, a global dynamic network loading queuing model is constructed, encompassing three queuing subsystems: ramp exit, single-type toll lanes, andthe station front plaza. Then, the paper defines a method for calculating the toll station's queuing threshold, using this threshold to categorize the toll station's state as either non-congested or con-gested, thereby providing early warning information for toll station management. Finally, the validity of the model is verified by field traffic survey data and simulation results. The results indicate that the global queuing model maintains high accuracy for queues of up to 5 vehicles at the ramp exit and up to 17 vehicles at the plaza in front of the station. The toll station is considered congested when the queu-ing threshold exceeds 0.85.