Optimisation of dynamic motorway traffic via a parsimonious and decentralised approach

This paper presents an optimisation framework for motorway management via ramp metering and variable speed limit. We start with presenting a centralised global optimal control problem aiming to minimise the total travel delay in a motorway system. Given the centralised global optimal control solutions, we propose a set of decentralised ramp metering and speed control strategies which operate on a novel parsimonious dynamic platform without needing an underlying traffic model. The control strategies are applied to a case on UK M25 motorway. The results show that the proposed set of decentralised control is able to deliver a performance that is close to the global optimal ones with significantly less computational and implementation effort. This study provides new insights to motorway management.

[1]  Nikolaos Geroliminis,et al.  On the stability of traffic perimeter control in two-region urban cities , 2012 .

[2]  R. Courant,et al.  Über die partiellen Differenzengleichungen der mathematischen Physik , 1928 .

[3]  Markos Papageorgiou,et al.  A rolling-horizon quadratic-programming approach to the signal control problem in large-scale conges , 2009 .

[4]  Patrick Athol,et al.  INTERDEPENDENCE OF CERTAIN OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS WITHIN A MOVING TRAFFIC STREAM , 1965 .

[5]  Carlos F. Daganzo,et al.  On the macroscopic stability of freeway traffic , 2011 .

[6]  Markos Papageorgiou,et al.  Optimal Motorway Traffic Flow Control Involving Variable Speed Limits and Ramp Metering , 2010, Transp. Sci..

[7]  P. I. Richards.  Shock Waves on the Highway , 1956 .

[8]  Beatrice Gralton,et al.  Washington DC - USA , 2008 .

[9]  Pravin Varaiya,et al.  TOPL: Tools for Operational Planning of Transportation Networks , 2008 .

[10]  Markos Papageorgiou,et al.  Coordinated ramp metering for freeway networks – A model-predictive hierarchical control approach , 2010 .

[11]  Markos Papageorgiou,et al.  Relating time-occupancy measurements to space-occupancy and link vehicle-count , 2008 .

[12]  C. Daganzo.  THE CELL TRANSMISSION MODEL.. , 1994 .

[13]  Nikolas Geroliminis,et al.  A Dynamic-Zone-Based Coordinated Ramp-Metering Algorithm With Queue Constraints for Minnesota's Freeways , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems.

[14]  Benjamin Heydecker,et al.  Analysis and Modelling of Traffic Flow under Variable Speed Limits , 2011 .

[15]  Markos Papageorgiou,et al.  Traffic-Responsive Linked Ramp-Metering Control , 2008, IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems.

[16]  Roberto Horowitz,et al.  Optimal freeway ramp metering using the asymmetric cell transmission model , 2006 .

[17]  C. Daganzo,et al.  Macroscopic Fundamental Diagrams for Freeway Networks: Theory and Observation , 2011 .

[18]  Hong Kam Lo,et al.  A novel traffic signal control formulation , 1999 .

[19]  Athanasios K. Ziliaskopoulos,et al.  A Linear Programming Model for the Single Destination System Optimum Dynamic Traffic Assignment Problem , 2000, Transp. Sci..

[20]  Perry Y. Li,et al.  An automated highway system link layer controller for traffic flow stabilization , 1997 .

[21]  Nikolaos Geroliminis,et al.  Hysteresis Phenomena of a Macroscopic Fundamental Diagram in Freeway Networks , 2011 .

[22]  Nikolas Geroliminis,et al.  Optimal Perimeter Control for Two Urban Regions With Macroscopic Fundamental Diagrams: A Model Predictive Approach , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems.

[23]  M. Papageorgiou,et al.  Effects of Variable Speed Limits on Motorway Traffic Flow , 2008 .

[24]  Tao Cheng,et al.  Empirical assessment of urban traffic congestion , 2014 .

[25]  Markos Papageorgiou,et al.  Freeway ramp metering: an overview , 2002, IEEE Trans. Intell. Transp. Syst..

[26]  H. Mahmassani,et al.  Exploring Properties of Networkwide Flow–Density Relations in a Freeway Network , 2012 .

[27]  Hong Kam Lo,et al.  Sensitivity analysis of signal control with physical queuing: Delay derivatives and an application , 2007 .

[28]  Carlos F. Daganzo,et al.  Urban Gridlock: Macroscopic Modeling and Mitigation Approaches , 2007 .

[29]  Markos Papageorgiou,et al.  ALINEA Local Ramp Metering: Summary of Field Results , 1997 .

[30]  Vikash V. Gayah,et al.  The potential of parsimonious models for understanding large scale transportation systems and answering big picture questions , 2012, EURO J. Transp. Logist..

[31]  Jaimyoung Kwon,et al.  Automatic Calibration of the Fundamental Diagram and Empirical Observations on Capacity , 2009 .

[32]  Ying Li,et al.  Modeling and optimization of road transport facility operations , 2014 .

[33]  David M Levinson,et al.  Optimal Freeway Ramp Control without Origin-Destination Information , 2004 .

[34]  Markos Papageorgiou,et al.  ALINEA maximises motorway throughput - an answer to flawed criticism , 2007 .

[35]  Meead Saberi,et al.  Hysteresis and Capacity Drop Phenomena in Freeway Networks , 2013 .

[36]  W. Jin,et al.  Supply-demand Diagrams and a New Framework for Analyzing the Inhomogeneous Lighthill-Whitham-Richards Model , 2010, 1005.4624.

[37]  Nikolaos Geroliminis,et al.  Perimeter and boundary flow control in multi-reservoir heterogeneous networks , 2013 .

[38]  Christine Buisson,et al.  Exploring the Impact of Homogeneity of Traffic Measurements on the Existence of Macroscopic Fundamental Diagrams , 2009 .

[39]  Markos Papageorgiou,et al.  ALINEA: A LOCAL FEEDBACK CONTROL LAW FOR ON-RAMP METERING , 1990 .

[40]  Vikash V. Gayah,et al.  Clockwise Hysteresis Loops in the Macroscopic Fundamental Diagram , 2010 .

[41]  M. Lighthill,et al.  On kinematic waves I. Flood movement in long rivers , 1955, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A. Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

[42]  Serge P. Hoogendoorn,et al.  Investigating the Shape of the Macroscopic Fundamental Diagram Using Simulation Data , 2010 .

[43]  Andy H.F. Chow,et al.  Dynamic system optimal traffic assignment – a state-dependent control theoretic approach , 2009 .

[44]  N. Geroliminis,et al.  Existence of urban-scale macroscopic fundamental diagrams: Some experimental findings - eScholarship , 2007 .