More efficient use of existing infrastructure: opportunities examined through micro-simulation modeling

Over recent years, the cry has been getting steadily louder that Australia needs to invest in new large infrastructure projects, along with upgrading existing infrastructure to meet the ever expanding demands of the population. Infrastructure, by its nature, is expensive to replace, in particular when that infrastructure has not yet reached the end of its useful life. Smarter use of existing road infrastructure through unconventional means can delay the requirement for upgrade, thereby allowing the redistribution of the finite resources available for the development of infrastructure in Australia to the more critical projects. The redevelopment of the Tullamarine Calder Interchange (TCI) has provided the opportunity to examine an existing freeway interchange that has slowly been overwhelmed by the steady advance of the city, and the subsequent increases in the road capacity that it supports. While the upgrade to the interchange is overdue, micro-simulation modeling has allowed the TCI team to examine ways of utilizing the existing infrastructure by unconventional means such as mainline metering and alternate arterial interchange arrangements. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E214755.