Traffic Flow Characteristics of an Undivided Two-Lane Road with Inclusive Motorised Two Wheeler Lanes: A Case Study

Motorized two-wheelers are on the rise in Kerala and across India. This mode offers flexibility with door-to-door access, making it a popular choice among people for its ability to navigate through congested roads. However, their involvement in road accidents is a significant concern due to their vulnerability compared to other vehicles. As an engineering intervention, providing dedicated two-wheeler lanes can be a practical and effective solution to reduce the interaction between two-wheelers and heavy vehicles, thereby enhancing the safety of two-wheeler riders. Kerala in its initial step towards it, has implemented an inclusive motorised two-wheeler (MTW) lanes on State Highway 8 between Muvattupuzha and Vengalloor. While traffic segregation has been piloted in various locations worldwide, its potential benefits have not yet been sufficiently studied. This work is a case study of the selected corridor where inclusive MTW lanes are implemented which attempts to understand the traffic flow characteristics of the roadway to understand the effect of inclusive MTW lanes. The study primarily focuses on investigating the traffic variables like traffic flow, density, and speed on this road with inclusive MTW lanes. It has been found that implementing dedicated MTW lanes can improve traffic flow, but careful consideration of roadside conditions is crucial for optimal performance. The results and findings in this research can help in understanding operational performance of a road with MTW lanes and also provide insights to improve any shortcomings.