Freeway Traffic Congestion Reduction and Environment Regulation via Model Predictive Control

This paper proposes a model predictive control method based on dynamic multi-objective optimization algorithms (MPC_CPDMO-NSGA-II) for reducing freeway congestion and relieving environment impact simultaneously. A new dynamic multi-objective optimization algorithm based on clustering and prediction with NSGA-II (CPDMO-NSGA-II) is proposed. The proposed CPDMO-NSGA-II algorithm is used to realize on-line optimization at each control step in model predictive control. The performance indicators considered in model predictive control consists of total time spent, total travel distance, total emissions and total fuel consumption. Then TOPSIS method is adopted to select an optimal solution from Pareto front obtained from MPC_CPDMO-NSGA-II algorithm and is applied to the VISSIM environment. The control strategies are variable speed limit (VSL) and ramp metering (RM). In order to verify the performance of the proposed algorithm, the proposed algorithm is tested under the simulation environment originated from a real freeway network in Shanghai with one on-ramp. The result is compared with fixed speed limit strategy and single optimization method respectively. Simulation results show that it can effectively alleviate traffic congestion, reduce emissions and fuel consumption, as compared with fixed speed limit strategy and classical model predictive control method based on single optimization method.