A Dynamic Speed Limit Control Approach for Highway Bottleneck Management

Most of the existing traffic control strategies implemented in many countries in the world tend to aim only at improving the efficiency of traffic output. However, decreased the delays and safer traffic are also important outcomes of traffic control. In this study, a dynamic algorithm for variable speed-limit control at toll booth zones is presented that can take full advantage of its dynamic functions and concurrently achieve the objectives of throughput maximization and delay minimization. In this context, field measurements on a real highway tool booth section have been obtained from highway authority in order to determine the pattern of the traffic, which fluctuates all day long. The most important output of the study is the development of an algorithm, which smooth the traffic flow. Developed algorithm has been tested in a microscopic traffic simulation environment. Obtained results have shown that even a standalone speed limit control process can be alleviated the traffic congestion on an urban highway sufficiently.