Integrated Traffic Flow Control in a Connected Network

University Transportation Centers Program2018PDFTech ReportIoannou, PetrosZhang, YihangUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUnited States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) ProgramUnited States. Department of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and TechnologyPacific Southwest Region 9 UTC, University of Southern CaliforniaPacific Southwest Region 9 UTC, University of Southern CaliforniaUnited StatesFeedback controlHighway traffic control systemsLane changingLinear control systemsRamp meteringTraffic flowTraffic modelsTraffic simulationVariable speed limits69A3551747109In this report, a combined variable speed limit and lane change traffic flow controller is developed using the cell transmission traffic flow model, which can provide consistent improvement in traffic mobility, safety and the environmental impact. The controller is then extended to coordinate with the ramp metering controller which maintains the flow rates on both mainline and on-ramps of highway. Furthermore, the authors investigate the stability properties of the cell transmission model under all possible traffic flow scenarios, with consideration of the capacity drop phenomenon. The analysis is used to motivate the design of variable speed limit control to overcome capacity without lane change control and achieve the maximum possible flow under all feasible traffic situations. They also consider the case where the system disturbance is included and extend the VSL controller by adding the integral action in order to reject the disturbance while avoiding the capacity drop.137