Optimal ramp control for incident response

Abstract This paper is concerned with ramp control which is responsive to freeway incidents. The object considered is to optimize (minimize) a weighted combination of affected freeway and diverted vehicles. The model of queue dynamics used was developed in earlier related work and is outlined here. The control law that results is an extremum solution (ramp completely open or completely closed), with the decision dependent upon the weight given diverted vehicles and upon macroscopic system parameters. Consideration is given to the case where complete closure is prohibited. The extension to partial blockages on multi-lane facilities is discussed.