Dynamic control over traffic flow under urban traffic conditions

Abstract

This article deals with solving topical issues of improving traffic effectiveness in major cities. The main traffic problem in major cities is a decrease in the throughput capacity of a street-road network and an increase in unpredictable travel time. The conducted study determined that the main reason for a decrease in the throughput capacity of a street-road network is the existence of traffic congestion modes and the formation of a shock wave with its spreading toward the oncoming traffic flow. To solve this problem, the dynamics of a change of parameters of a transport flow based on detection of the feature of the formation of a shock wave in a dense flow was simulated in the research. The analytical dependence on the rate of a density change under complicated traffic conditions on road sections makes it possible to determine the place of the shock wave formation to prevent its occurrence. The most common methods only affect the elimination of traffic congestions, which increases transport delays. To eliminate the congestion state on the open line of a street network, it was proposed to introduce dynamic traffic control. The feasibility of the above type of control is proved by simulating the impact of a change in the speed of traffic flow on its intensity. Theoretical models of traffic dynamics were developed for the street-road network section of the length of 1,500 m. The results of the simulating experiment on the urban open line that is 380 m long proved the adequacy of the model. The obtained results prove the possibility of decreasing intensity on the approach to congestion by reducing the speed of motion. This method of traffic control affects the end of a shock wave, rather than its front to prevent congestion. The research results affect an increase in network throughput