University of California Pavement Research Center

This technical memorandum presents an analysis of the impact of urban freeway pavement rehabilitation on freeway traffic on I-710 Long Beach (CA), a freeway with high traffic volume, over eight 55-hour weekend closures. The study included actual traffic measurements and microscopic simulations through a broad traffic network containing a construction work zone (CWZ), neighboring freeways, and detour arterials. As drivers re-routed to the detour routes, the hourly peak traffic demand through the CWZ during construction weekends decreased by 37 percent from historical averages, which is near the Traffic Management Plan (TMP) average estimate of 40 percent. During construction, traffic volume on arterial intersections was increased noticeably (14 percent), and network-level noshow traffic was insignificant (only 1 percent). As the weekend closures were repeated, drivers exhibited a learning effect, with the maximum peak hourly volume through the CWZ decreasing. The microscopic simulation study experienced some calibration limitations due to the large grid network and high traffic volume, but was found to be sufficiently efficient and reliable to warrant use for validation of TMPs for future highway rehabilitation projects.