An Artificial Neural Network Speed Profile Model for High-Speed Highway Construction Work Zones

Speed profile models can be used by highway engineers to assess the adequacy of a design. Previous work has investigated relationships between operating speed and geometric roadway elements for permanent roadway conditions, mostly two-lane rural roads. No research of this type has been done for construction work zones. For this reason, a speed profile model for high-speed highway construction work zones was successfully developed using artificial neural networks (ANN) and implemented into an EXCEL spreadsheet. The model inputs include geometric features of the road as well as variables specific to construction work zones. The output of the model is a speed versus distance plot for cars, trucks and all vehicles.