Speed limit and ramp meter control for traffic flow networks

International audienceThe control of traffic flow can be related to different applications. In this work, we introduce how to manage variable speed limits combined with coordinated ramp metering within the framework of the LWR net-work model. Following a "first discretize then optimize" approach, we derive the first order optimality system and explain the switch of speeds at certain fixed points in time and the boundary control for the ramp metering as well. Sequential quadratic programming methods are used to solve the control problem numerically. For application purposes, we present experimental setups where variable speed limits are used as a traffic guidance system to avoid traffic jams on highway interchanges and on-ramps