Macroscopic modeling of traffic in cities

Most of the existing models for large scale arterial networks are not realistic and appropriate to deal with crowded conditions. As an alternative, we propose observation-based models that circumvent the fragility problems of traditional models. Monitoring replaces prediction, and the system is repeatedly modified based on observations. To succeed this goal a city is modeled in an aggregated manner and relations between traffic variables are developed. Macroscopic feedback control strategies are introduced which rely on real-time observation of relevant spatially aggregated measures of traffic performance. The proposed ideas are tested by simulation, while field experiments are in progress.