Model of Integrated Corridor Traffic Optimization

Abstract

An integrated corridor control system is proposed to manage traffic dynamically between the mainline freeway and the diversion route in real time. The system's objective is to alleviate the total corridor delay attributable to nonrecurrent or recurrent congestion on the freeway. An optimization-based model, the integrated corridor traffic optimization model (ICTOM), was established to minimize total traffic delay, including delays on the freeway, signal control delays on the diversion route, and delays attributable to travel time differences between two routes. The model determines diversion volumes from the freeway to an arterial corridor and signal-timing plans on the diversion route. ICTOM features a nonlinear objective function and linear constraints. Three algorithms were evaluated in seeking a solution for ICTOM: genetic algorithm, pattern search, and sequential quadratic programming. The sequential quadratic programming algorithm was selected because of its effectiveness and efficiency in the case study. Evaluation based on the CORSIM simulation showed that in real time, ICTOM realized total average reductions in corridor delay of 8.77%, 9.92%, and 13.16% under heavy-, moderate-, and light-traffic conditions, respectively, compared with the benchmark in which the timing plans for traffic signals were optimized by TRANSYT 7F offline.