Improving Traffic Efficiency With Lane Guidance Based on Desired Speeds

Drivers initiate a discretionary lane change when they perceive an anticipated improvement in their own driving condition from moving to another lane. However, such a lane change can slow down other vehicles on the target lane, and even worse initiate a disturbance. In this work, we argue that the blocking effect triggered by individual lane...

Structure-free model-based predictive signal control: A sensitivity analysis on a corridor with spillback

Model-based predictive signal control is a popular method to pro-actively control traffic and to reduce the effects of congestion in urban networks. In combination with structure-free controllers, which adapt signal settings in arbitrary order and combination (no imposed cycles), these predictive control methods have a high potential to...

A new reinforcement learning-based variable speed limit control approach to improve traffic efficiency against freeway jam waves

Conventional reinforcement learning (RL) models of variable speed limit (VSL) control systems (and traffic control systems in general) cannot be trained in real traffic process because new control actions are usually explored randomly, which may result in high costs (delays) due to exploration and learning. For this reason, existing RL-based...

Efficient freeway MPC by parameterization of ALINEA and a speed-limited area

Freeway congestion can reduce the freeway throughput due to the capacity drop or due to blocking caused by spillback to upstream ramps. Research has shown that congestion can be reduced by the application of ramp metering and variable speed limits. Model predictive control is a promising strategy for the optimization of the ramp metering...

Design analysis of a decentralized equilibrium-routing strategy for intelligent vehicles

Intelligent vehicle technologies are opening new possibilities for decentralized vehicle routing systems, suitable for regulating large traffic networks, and at the same time, capable of providing customized advice to individual vehicles. In this study, we perform a rigorous simulation-based analysis of an in-vehicle routing strategy that...

A Hierarchical Control Framework for Coordination of Intersection Signal Timings in All Traffic Regimes

In this paper, we develop a hierarchical approach to optimize the signal timings in an urban traffic network taking into account the different dynamics in all traffic regimes. The proposed hierarchical control framework consists of two layers. The first layer--the network coordination layer--uses a model predictive control strategy based on a...

An Extended Linear Quadratic Model Predictive Control Approach for Multi-Destination Urban Traffic Networks

This paper extends an existing linear quadratic model predictive control (LQMPC) approach to multi-destination traffic networks, where the correct origin-destination (OD) relations are preserved. In the literature, the LQMPC approach has been presented for efficient routing and intersection signal control. The optimization problem in the...

Resolving freeway jam waves by discrete first-order model-based predictive control of variable speed limits

In this paper we develop a fast model predictive control (MPC) approach for variable speed limit coordination to resolve freeway jam waves. Existing MPC approaches that are based on the second-order traffic flow models suffer from high computation load due to the non-linear and non-convex optimization formulation. In recent years, simplified...

Robust, Optimal, Predictive, and Integrated Road Traffic Control: Research proposal

The development of control strategies for traffic lights, ramp metering installations, and variable speed limits to improve the throughput of road traffic networks can contribute to a more efficient use of road networks. In this project, a hierarchical controller will be developed for the improvement of the throughput of a road traffic network....

Network Wide Service Level-Oriented Route Guidance in Road Traffic Networks: Traffic management in line with the policy objectives of the road authorities

Service level control is a promising strategy to realize policy objectives within road networks like improving network production while taking road user interests, livability and safety into account. In this contribution a service level-oriented route guidance control approach is presented that is able to control service levels of routes on a...

Service level-oriented route guidance during evacuations

Research in the field of evacuation management puts a strong focus on the development of optimal evacuation and control strategies. However, in operational evacuation management the means to monitor, manage, evaluate and control are limited. The authorities nevertheless have a strong need to understand the system, in order to properly guide...

Model Predictive Control for Integrating Traffic Control Measures

Dynamic traffic control measures, such as ramp metering and dynamic speed limits, can be used to better utilize the available road capacity. Due to the increasing traffic volumes and the increasing number of traffic jams the interaction between the control measures has increased such that local control measures are often not sufficient anymore....