DETROIT FREEWAY CORRIDOR ITS EVALUATION

This study evaluated the impacts of the Michigan Department of Transportation's Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) on congestion in the John C. Lodge corridor of Detroit. The ITS systems deployed included Internet-based pre-trip information, highway advisory radio (HAR), ramp metering, and variable message signs. The analysis was performed primarily using a simulation modeling approached. In addition, the study evaluated the impacts of a potential future policy and operational changes, including arterial signal coordination, accident-responsive signal coordination, and ramp metering modifications. The study also addressed a second issue, that of commuters' perceived preference for freeway routes through the Lodge corridor in the presence of shorter, time-based arterial routes also known as freeway bias.