An approach to identify bottlenecks in road networks using travel time variations: a case study in the city of Colombo and suburbs

Abstract

Bottlenecks in road networks are the main contributing factor in terms of traffic congestion in urban areas and thus, identification of bottlenecks and introduction of relevant remedies are important in easing the traffic congestion especially in the case of developing countries where funding for new transport infrastructure projects is a major factor of concern. This study discusses on identification of bottlenecks using crowdsource real- time travel time data which is more effective in terms of collection and usage in analysis. The usual travel time collection process is thus replaced by using Google Maps API matrix. Shortest travel time and travel distance paths among main origin and destinations are analyzed and the contrast in shortest distance path not being the shortest travel time path brings an important consideration of the reasons associated mainly due to presence of bottlenecks which needs to be identified and rectified for better road user experience. After a macro level approach in the identification process, certain transportation indices such as Congestion Index, Delay Rate Index and Travel Rate Ratio in a meso and micro level analysis perspective are utilized to ensure the identification of critical bottlenecks along minimum distance paths in the road network of main roads.