Queue and User Cost Evaluation of Work Zones (QUEWZ)

An important aspect of a highway work zone is the lane-closure strategy and the movement of traffic through the work zone. As part of the evaluation to determine the effects of different lane-closure strategies (e.g., one-, two-, or three-lane closures on a four-lane section), the additional costs to vehicle users should be considered. It is therefore necessary to have a model that will improve the accuracy of user cost estimates resulting from the forced movement through a restricted work zone. A computer model, Queue and User Cost Evaluation of Work Zones (QUEWZ), developed to estimate the additional user costs resulting from lane closures in one or both directions of travel is described. User costs can be estimated when one or more lanes are closed in just one direction of travel or when a crossover is used. Hourly as well as daily user costs are estimated, and when vehicle demand exceeds capacity, the model also estimates the length of queue. The model is designed specifically for freeway conditions, but it can be used in other situations if appropriate adjustments are made in the input data. Two vehicle types are used in the model–passenger cars and trucks.