Designing Robust Road Networks

The Dutch road network is, like many other road networks in the world, congested in the morning and evening peaks. The locations of congestion are quite often the same; this makes it relatively easy to take the delay of this regular congestion into account when planning a trip. However, as a result of disturbances, also unexpectedly large delays occur. If no measures are taken, the Dutch road network, especially in major urban areas, is becoming more and more vulnerable to disturbances like incidents. This PhD study proposes a framework for robustness analysis that includes definitions, indicators and a set of measures that can be applied to make the road network robust against incidents. Furthermore, a method is developed by which robust road networks can be designed given these measures. The method combines expert knowledge with advanced modelling techniques. The quality of the method is proven by applying it to a small test network. Finally, this thesis shows how the method can be applied to a large realistic network of Amsterdam and surroundings. The practical value of the research appears from the fact that parts of it have already been used in projects for the ANWB, Verkeer en Waterstaat, de Raad voor Verkeer en Waterstaat, DVS, de stadregio Amsterdam en Bart Egeter Advies. This research is supported by the TU Delft, TNO, NGI, Transumo and TRAIL.