Delft University of Technology
Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering Transport Technology
R. Riemens Incident management: berekening van de effecten van lokaties voor hulpdiensten en de inrichting van procedures m.b.v. een simulatiemodel.
Masters thesis, Report 94.3.LT.4333, Transport Engineering and Logistics.
In this project the possibilities of decreasing the incident duration were studied. As a result of decreased incident duration, the effects of incidents (congestion) will also reduce. The solution has been found in the procedure of incident dispatching on the highway network.
The current incident restoration system can be improved by applying alternative strategics within the dispatch procedure, namely: assigning of emergency services based on the shortest traveltime,
allowing the towtrucks to drive on the shoulderlane, use extra emergency vehicles.
To estimate the effects of incidents with different procedures, a simulation model was build. To locate extra emergency vehicles a location model was developped.
The simulation model simulates the dispatch of incidents on the highway network. Different dispatch procedures can be used as input. By adjusting the simulation like the current incident restoration system, it is possible to compare the values of the performance-indicators with reality. In the casestudy "Vlag van Utrecht" the comparison was acceptable.
New situations were also tested with the simulation model. The results are obvious better when the towtrucks are allowed to drive on the shoulderlane in case of congestion. The traveltime is strongly decreased. This has a positive influence on the incident duration. As a result of the reduced incident duration, the length, duration and weight of congestion will also be reduced.
Assignment based on the shortest traveltime produces less result.
The location model determines the location of emergency vehicles on the basis of incident chances and the shape of the highway network. In the casestudy "Vlag van Utrecht" the junction Oudenrijn is the most acceptable location for one extra emergency vehicle (towtruck). The model showed the same result. Placing more emergency vehicles the locations will be chosen in the network with a good dispersal. The maximum number of centrepoints of the network is fifteen. This can be seen as a disadvantage.
Conclusion: the results of the casestudy are satisfying. That's why other it is recommended to study other areas in a similar way. Reports on Transport Engineering and Logistics (in Dutch)
