การจัดรูปแบบช่องเก็บค่าผ่านทางเพื่อรองรับระบบเก็บค่าผ่านทางอัตโนมัติแบบไม่มีไม้กั้น (M-Flow) บนทางพิเศษศรีรัช

Abstract

This research aims to determine the optimal toll lane configuration and number of toll lanes corresponding to the proportion of M-Flow users, integrated with existing systems (MTC and ETC), to maximize operational efficiency. The study employs the Aimsun microscopic traffic simulation model to simulate traffic conditions at three representative toll plazas, with test scenarios defined by three key variables: the proportion of M-Flow system users, the toll lane configuration layout, and the traffic volume. Average travel delay was utilized as the key performance indicator for traffic efficiency. The findings indicate that the determination of the optimal toll lane configuration is directly correlated with the M-Flow user proportion. If the user proportion is low, an excessive number of M-Flow lanes leads to underutilization and negatively impacts the capacity of the remaining conventional lanes. Conversely, if the M-Flow user proportion is high but the number of lanes is insufficient, it results in severe congestion and increased travel delay. The research concludes that incrementally adjusting the number of M-Flow lanes to correspond with the actual user proportion is a critical factor and proposes a criterion for this adjustment based on total traffic volume and the M-Flow user proportion for each plaza size. For instance, at Rama IX Toll Plaza, the number of M-Flow lanes should be increased from 1 to 2 when the M-Flow user proportion exceeds 60%. The Bang Sue 2 Toll Plaza should maintain 1 M-Flow lane, and the Asok 4 Toll Plaza should increase M-Flow lanes from 1 to 2 when the proportion exceeds 28%, and further increase to 3 M-Flow lanes when the user proportion exceeds 69%. These results provide a practical guideline for optimizing toll lane configuration to effectively maintain the level of service and minimize overall travel delay.