Network Coordinated Ramp Metering Control Strategy: Optimization and Evaluation

Abstract

The Ramp Metering (RM) control has been proven to be an effective measure for improving the efficiency of expressway operations. However, due to the complexity of network-wide coordinated RM control strategies, the model parameters in the control model requires to be carefully calibrated and optimized using the local traffic data. Establishing a quantitative evaluation method with reliable Measurement of Effectiveness (MOE)s is also a crucial step for optimizing of the control strategy. In this research, the author presents the procedures of optimizing the RM control strategy for implementing network-wide coordinated control as well as its evaluation methods. A field-data based microscopic simulation site was built to reproduce the traffic environment and implement the optimized control strategies. It was proved that the optimized control strategy can substantially improve the efficiency of traffic operations in the implemented network. Therefore, the proposed control strategy optimization and evaluation process is validated.