Comparison of Algorithms for Variable Speed Limit Control on Urban Motorways

Abstract

Autoceste su dimenzionirane kako bi omogućile veći maksimalni prometni kapaciteta, što posljedično omogućuje višu razinu uslužnosti (engl. Level of Service - LoS), u usporedbi s drugim vrstama prometnica. Unatoč tome u nekim slučajevima može doći do preopterećenja prometnog toka autoceste. Autoceste koje su konstruirane blizu većih urbanih središta posebice su pod velikim prometnim opterećenjem budući da se koriste za potrebe dnevnih migracija gradskog stanovništva i tranzitnog prometa. Najistaknutiji efekti zagušenja su duže vrijeme putovanja i veće onečišćenje zraka na prometnicama koje su pod utjecajem zagušenja. Kako bi se izbjegli ili ublažili efekti zagušenja na autocestama koristi se niz rješenja iz područja inteligentnih transportnih sustava. Najkorištenije upravljačke strategije na urbanim autocestama su upravljanje priljevnim tokovima i promjenjivo ograničenje brzine. Fokus rada je usporedba različitih algoritama za upravljanje promjenjivim ograničenjem na urbanim autocestama. U svrhu usporedbe je napravljen model dionice autoceste u mikroskopskom simulatoru VISSIM, implementirana su tri različita algoritma za upravljanje promjenjivim ograničenjem brzine u programskom paketu MATLAB te odsimulirane emsije ispušnih polinova cestovnih vozila u simulatoru EnViVeR.Motorways are designed in order to enable higher maximal traffic throughput, which consequently enables higher LoS, compared with other road types. Nevertheless, in some cases traffic congestion can occur on motorways. Motorways constructed near major urban regions are under heavy traffic load because they are intensively used during peak hours and transit traffic. The most notable effects of congestion are longer travel time and increased air pollution on roads affected by congestions. Several solutions in the field of intelligent transport systems are used in order to avoid or mitigate effects of congestion on motorways. Variable speed limit control and ramp metering are the most widely used control strategies on the motorways. The focus of this thesis is placed on comparison of different algorithms for variable speed limit control on motorways. For the purpose of comparing the implemented VSLC algorithms a motorway model was made in microscopic simulatorr VISSIM, three different algorithms for variable speed limit control were implemented using MATLAB and simulation of vehicle emission polution was done in EnViVer