Examination of coordinated freeway management system in closed loop microsimulation environment

Abstract

This paper investigates dynamic freeway traffic management strategy. Using this method the capacity of freeways can be ameliorated and the evolution of traffic congestions reduced or as well avoided. The system operates two different control methods in a coordinated way - ramp metering and variable speed control – which are already in use in many countries. The ramp metering is an LQ control design. The variable speed limit control is a switching control. The system was tested in a closed loop microsimulation environment. The simulation results clearly prove the effectiveness and the practical applicability of the coordinated strategy.