5TH International Congress on Technology - Engineering & Science - Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia (2018-02-01)

Performance Of Traffic Contraflow Strategy In Malaysia

Congestion has led to the implementation of contraflow operation in urban expressways in Malaysia. The implementation of contraflow lane has been used daily in urban expressway network in Malaysia since 2013 to ease traffic during rush hours. The contraflow operations utilize the inbound lanes as contraflow lanes to increase the total outbound traffic flow capacity. Therefore, a study was conducted at three urban expressways, namely Kajang Dispersal Link Expressway (SILK Expressway-E18), Cheras-Kajang Expressway (Grand Saga-E7) and Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS-E5). A traffic study, consists of a level of service (LOS) and traffic speed are highlighted in this study. The utilization of the normal and contraflow lane is a measure based upon the multi-lane expressway density capacity analysis. The analysis revealed with implementing contraflow lane can ease congestion, however, in term of safety, the implementation of contraflow can increase risk of collision due to the used of plastic cones to separate traffic. Since the cones are not a physical barrier, head-on collisions might be occurred causing several mortality. Hence, it is vital for concessionaire upgrade the used of plastic cones to separate traffic. The 85th percentile speed results show that the difference in the normal lane during normal and heavy weekdays are statistically significant when comparing with contraflow lane. This is indicated 85th percentile speed of normal lane is different between contraflow lane and there is vehicle traveling with speed variability, which is a common indicator of unstable traffic conditions for both normal and contraflow lanes. The outcome from this study will provide the expressway concessionaire real situation of contraflow performance implemented on Malaysia’s expressway.
Nora Sheda Mohd Zulkiffli, Rizati Hamidun, Siti Zaharah Ishak