ANALYSIS OF THE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY OF BORDER CROSSINGS AS A FUNCTION OF VARIABLE DESIGN HOURLY VOLUMES

Abstract

The characteristics of temporal variability of traffic flow constitute a fundamental basis for the planning, design, and operation of road infrastructure systems. The determination of the design hourly volume represents a critical input for decision-making processes related to infrastructure provision, the dimensioning of roadway design elements, as well as the definition of traffic management and operational control strategies. Highway border crossings represent critical nodes within the transport network, essential for ensuring the continuity and reliability of international traffic flows. Their dimensioning has a pronounced impact on overall system performance, particularly in terms of capacity utilization and the achieved level of service (LOS) along the corresponding highway section. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the influence of variable design hourly volume values on the dimensioning of border crossings, taking into account the temporal non-uniformity of traffic demand throughout the annual cycle. Special emphasis is placed on the sensitivity of capacity and performance indicators to fluctuations in peak demand conditions. The analysis is supported by a case study of the Preševo Border Crossing on the E-75 highway, including detailed capacity and level of service assessments. Furthermore, the paper identifies and evaluates a set of operational measures aimed at improving the efficiency of border crossing operations and enhancing the overall level of service of the analyzed system.