Dynamic Speed Control Strategy for Freeway Traffic Congestion Management

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of speed control on traffic flow processes and develops a control strategy to maximize the efficiency of freeway systems. The basic idea of the speed control is to advise or force drivers to decelerate gradually in order to cope with such operational problems on a freeway or highway as incidents, construction, or geometric changes, etc. Theoretical derivation of optimal speed control scheme for multiple freeway sections is presented based on a macroscopic traffic flow process model. Simulation experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the derived speed control scheme and provide a promising potential for field implementation. These results indicate that the temporal spatial speed limitation helps in maintaining stable freeway traffic conditions.