T. Bellemans

Model predictive control with repeated model fitting for ramp metering

In this paper we deal with model predictive control for ramp metering on motorways. A discussion of the way ramp metering to prevent, or postpone, congestion on a motorway is presented. As an example, a real-life motorway in Belgium is presented. We discuss the traffic flow model that is used in a receding horizon framework, and argue that the quality of the fit of the traffic flow model to the measurement data has an impact on the quality of the optimised metering signals. Therefore, we suggest to re-fit the most sensitive parameters of the traffic flow model on a regular basis. We conclude this paper with some simulation results.

Anticipative model predictive control for ramp metering in freeway networks

When implementing ramp metering in the context of freeway networks, traffic can spontaneously re-route due to the applied control actions. Although this re-routing can have an important impact on the resulting traffic situation in the traffic network and on the performance of the traffic network as a whole, re-routing is not automatically included in current model predictive frameworks for freeway traffic control. Therefore, we propose a method to calculate and incorporate the re-routing effects into the model predictive framework. In this way, we realize anticipative model predictive control for ramp metering in freeway networks.

Anticipative ramp metering control using dynamic traffic assignment

We develop an anticipative model-based traffic control approach for ramp metering in freeway networks. If ramp metering is implemented in a freeway network with alternative routes, traffic can spontaneously re-route due to the response of the drivers to the applied control actions. Although spontaneous re-routing can have a significant influence on the resulting traffic situation in the traffic network and on the performance of the traffic network as a whole, re-routing is usually not automatically included in the current freeway traffic control frameworks. We develop a new method to efficiently calculate and incorporate re-routing effects into a model-based predictive traffic control framework. In this way, anticipative model predictive control for ramp metering in freeway networks is realized.

An improved first-order macroscopic flow model for highway traffic simulation

We reconsider the first-order macroscopic traffic flow model of Lighthill and Whitham (1955) and propose some modifications that solve some of the deficiencies related to this model, while at the same time preserving one of the main advantages of this model compared to higher-order models, namely its low computational complexity, which is important when the model is used in online real time traffic control applications.