Controllability of the Main Road with an On-Ramp Section in Freeway Traffic Flow

Abstract

This study examines the controllability issue pertaining to the main road with a single on-ramp segment within the context of freeway traffic flow. In this regard, a finitedimensional nonlinear model is formulated by integrating variable speed limit (VSL) and ramp metering (RM) techniques with the controllability property of the system derived under continuous VSL and RM controllers. This allows us to simultaneously control the density of the main line and reduce the queue density of the merging sector. In the numerical experiment, numerical simulations are conducted on a sample model of a main road to investigate the null controllability of the system and validate the theoretical findings. The numerical findings suggest that it is possible to achieve a consistent queue length for the on-ramp section through the implementation of suitable VSL and RM controls. Therefore, the primary accomplishment of this study is to effectively regulate the traffic flow on the main road segment by managing the density of vehicles within a specified timeframe while also considering the queue density of the on-ramp section.