A Traffic Congestion Assessment Method for Urban Road Networks Based on Speed Performance Index

AbstractThis study aimed to analyze traffic congestion in urban road networks. The speed performance index was adopted to evaluate the existing road network conditions of congestion, then road segment and network congestion indexes were introduced to respectively measure the congestion levels of urban road segment and network. This study also carried out a traffic congestion analysis for Beijing expressway network, based on the speed performance data collected from January 1 to November 1, 2012, by Beijing Traffic Management Bureau (BTMB). Based on these analyses the proposed congestion indexes can well assess the traffic congestion conditions of urban road networks, more importantly, such an assessment study provides traffic control and management agencies an accurate and clear understanding of operation status of traffic networks