VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION FOR EXPRESSWAY CAPACITY ANALYSIS IN CHINA

A new vehicle classification is given in this paper for expressway capacity analysis in China, because the existing vehicle classification causes some problems, such as the vehicle-types whose sizes are the same have different performance characteristics. The new vehicle classification is principally based on free-flow speed together with the characteristics of vehicle configuration and wheelbase frequency. According to this principle, dynamic cluster is used to combine the existing vehicle-types into three new vehicle-types, which are labeled passenger car, heavy vehicle, and unidentified vehicle. After analysis of the performance characteristics of the new vehicle-types and validation of local data, the new vehicle classification is proven and applied successfully in expressway capacity analysis in China.