Traffic flow characteristics of Road
Traffic stream generally has flow and counter flow along a common route, unless the stream is separated into pair of one-way flows by proper design or regulation. The basic traffic maneuvers are diverging, merging, weaving and crossing.
1) Diverging
Diverging occurs when one traffics stream separates to form two separate traffic stream. This occurs at off-ramps from freeways and multi lane highways, but can also occurs when a major facility to form two separate facilities. Diverging vehicles must properly align themselves in appropriate lanes.

2) Merging
Merging occurs when two separates traffics stream join to form a single stream. Merging can accur at on-ramp to a free way or multilane highway or when two significant facilities join to form one.
Merging vehicles often make lane changes to form one. Merging vehicles often make lane changes to align themeselves in appropriate to their desired movement.

3) Weaving
Weaving occurs when one movement cross the path of another along a length of facility. without the aid of signals or other control devices. Such situation area created when merge area is closely followed by diverge area.

4) Crossing
Crossing occurs when one movement cross the path of another. The crossing traffic is the greatest problem in case of road intersection at grade, because the vehicles on one road have to stop before allowing the vehicle of crossing stream to cross their path.
Thus the traffic capacity of two cross roads practically reduces to that of anyone of crossing roads.

I hope this article on “Traffic flow characteristics of Road” remains helpful for you.
Happy Learning – Civil Concept
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