Automatic Control Methods Applied to Freeway Network Traffic

The paper presents a general state-space modeling approach for multiorigin multidestination freeway networks including several routes for each origin-destination pair. The problem of controlling variable direction signs at bifurcation locations so as to achieve system optimal or user optimal traffic conditions is formulated in control engineering terms. A number of well-known control strategies are suggested and tested by simulation means for a real medium-size freeway network.