Traffic simulation models for rural road network management

The impetus for this research paper stems from the current deterioration of the rural road networks, and the limited research on the cost-benefit impacts of alternative rural road investment strategies in the U.S.A. With the co-operation of the Minnesota DOT and Polk County DOT officials, a large size and sparse structure rural road transport network in NW Polk County is used for the evaluation of the existing and proposed road network design and investment strategies. Deterministic and probabilistic traffic simulation models are evaluated in practice, and a set of selected cost-efficient rural road management strategies is identified.