Simulation Modeling During Operation of the Toll Collection Station on the Intercity Toll Road

This study is dedicated to the operation of the Toll Plaza (hereinafter TP) by the operator of the intercity toll road, where most drivers use Electronic Toll Collection Units (hereinafter ETCU). The authors note that the observed tendency for this payment type is becoming more popular and inevitably results in the necessity to control effectiveness of Toll Collection System’s (hereinafter TCS) operation at the toll plaza. The solution to this operational issue is described in this article. Purpose of the study is to determine the intensity of transportation flow at which traffic jams are formed at the toll plaza with different parameters of the flow and different types of TCS operation. The study was conducted using the discrete event simulation modeling methods in the AnyLogic environment, and the statistical package R. As an example, the Western High Speed Diameter (hereinafter WHSD) Toll Plaza in St. Petersburg, Russia was studied. As a result of a study, a JavaScript programming code was written, which allows modeling a toll plaza in any configuration, with different flow parameters. Threshold definitions of incoming flow that cause traffic jams were determined; opportunities to increase the flow through a toll plaza were demonstrated, with the existing configuration of lanes. The reasons for traffic jams were identified, and limited capabilities of the existing toll plazas were depicted in the event of an increase in traffic on the toll road.