Capacity Flexibility Assessment of Highway Network for the Eastern Economic Corridor Area

Abstract

The capacity flexibility for transportation networks is the ability of a transportation network
to accommodate changes in traffic demand while maintaining the efficiency of the transport
system. This research assesses the capacity flexibility of highway network for the Eastern Economic
Corridor area because the EEC project is an engine to drive economic growth, which leads to
an increase in the number of activities in this area. The capacity flexibility of the EEC network
is assessed to determine the ability to handle traffic under demand uncertainty. Two approaches
for assessing the value of capacity flexibility are measured. The first approach is based on the
concept of reserve capacity and the second approach allows for variations in the demand pattern
in addition to changes in demand volume. The results of the first concept show that there is
no reserve capacity. Then network was improved based on various scenarios of DOH plans.
Once all the projects are completed, the network can handle up to 1.16 times of the current
demand. The results of the second concept show that the improved network (period 2022-2036)
is more flexible because it can handle more demand patterns.