Citation

Seliman SMS, Sadek AW, He Q. J. Transp. Eng. A: Systems 2020; 146(8): e04020074.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, American Society of Civil Engineers)

DOI

10.1061/JTEPBS.0000395

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study develops optimal variable, lanegroup-based, speed limits for traffic control at freeway lane drop areas (e.g., work zones). The proposed approach adopts a simulation-optimization framework that utilizes a calibrated and validated macroscopic traffic flow model METANET, along with the microscopic traffic simulation model VISSIM, to develop the optimal speed limits. A multiobjective optimization framework is implemented whereby the model primarily seeks to improve traffic safety by reducing the average number of stops, while taking other objectives, such as the average travel time and throughput, into consideration. For optimization, the heuristic, biologically-inspired optimization technique known as particle swarm optimization (PSO), is utilized, and the

Keywords

Freeway operations; Particle swarm optimization (PSO); Traffic simulation; Variable speed limits; Work zones