Prepared by Bulcha B. and Eskinder Z.

Homework #2

1. On a specific westbound section of highway, studies show that the speed-

density relationship is:

𝑘
𝑢 = 𝑢𝑓 [1 − ( )3.5 ]
𝑘𝑗

It is known that the capacity is 3800 veh/h and the jam density is 225
veh/mi. What is the space-mean speed of the traffic at capacity, and what
is the free-flow speed?

2. A section of highway has a speed-flow relationship of the form

𝑞 = 𝑎𝑢2 + 𝑏𝑢
It is known that at capacity (which is 2900 veh/h) the space-mean speed
of traffic is 30 mi/h. Determine the speed when the flow is 1400 veh/h
and the free-flow speed

3. A section of highway has the following flow-density relationship:

𝑞 = 50𝑘 − 0.156𝑘 2
What is the capacity of the highway section, the speed at capacity, and
the density when the highway is at one-quarter of its capacity?

4. Assume you are observing traffic in a single lane of a highway at a specific

location. You measure the average headway and average spacing of
passing vehicles as 3 seconds and 150 ft, respectively. Calculate the flow,
average speed, and density of the traffic stream in this lane.

5. Four race cars are traveling on a 2.5-mile tri-oval track. The four cars are
traveling at constant speeds of 195 mi/h, 190 mi/h, 185 mi/h, and 180
mi/h, respectively. Assume you are an observer standing at a point on the
track for a period of 30 minutes and are recording the instantaneous speed
of each vehicle as it crosses your point. What is the time-mean speed and
space-mean speed for these vehicles for this time? (Note: Be careful with
rounding.)
AASTU, CACE
Prepared by Bulcha B. and Eskinder Z.

AASTU, CACE