Abstract
This project developed a new HOV driver behavioral model that incorporates an access preference/choice model for examining travel time savings and a traffic model for calculating the acceptable gap to get in/out of buffer-separated HOV lane facilities. The model is incorporated into the Paramics simulator as a plug-in developed through API (Application Programming Interface) programming. In order to extend its capability for calibration and implementation, several user-specified parameters were incorporated during the model development process, including ingress and egress points selection control, and provision traffic information updates. The parameters of the model were tested and evaluated using both a sample, idealized, segment of freeway as well as a simulation network of the SR-57 freeway in Orange County, California. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the reasonableness of the model; the freeway network was further investigated for model validation purposes. The results demonstrate the reasonableness of the proposed model under various traffic conditions. The proposed model also was demonstrated to better capture the weaving maneuvers observed on the SR-57 freeway.