A macroscopic traffic flow model for integrated control of freeway and urban traffic networks

Abstract

We develop a macroscopic model for mixed urban and freeway traffic networks that is particularly suited for control purposes. In particular, we use an extended version of the METANET traffic flow model to describe the evolution of the traffic flows in the freeway part of the network. For the urban network we propose a new model that is based on the Kashani model. Furthermore, we also describe the interface between the urban and the freeway model. This results in an integrated model for mixed freeway and urban traffic networks. This model is especially suited for use in a model predictive traffic control approach.