Project Summary
In this research, we propose a unified framework for (1) analyzing dynamical and stationary patterns subject to different control strategies; and (2) designing control strategies based on understanding of traffic patterns. We will describe the evolution of traffic dynamics in a signalized network by the Link Transmission Model (Yperman et al., 2006; Yperman, 2007), which, together with Newell’s simplified kinematic wave model (Newell, 1993), is another formulation of the network kinematic wave theory based on the LWR model. In (Jin, 2014), two continuous formulations of LTM were derived from the Hopf-Lax formula for the Hamilton- Jacobi equation of the LWR model. Then we will (1) analytically derive macroscopic fundamental diagrams (MFD) for stationary traffic patterns with different network topologies, road conditions, driving behaviors, and signal settings; (2) quantify congestion mitigation effects of different signal settings, including cycle lengths, green splits, and offsets, as well as speed limits and road lengths; (3) formulate an optimization problem to find optimal road, speed limit, and signal control parameters under certain demand levels, and (4) develop a set of simple decision-support tools for arterial network improvement.
