Information providing as a control measure in an integrated traffic control approach ∗

We develop a control method for traffic networks that uses information providing as a control measure. The provided information consists of travel time information of different possible routes, shown on variable message signs. We will present a model that describes the change in turning rates due to a travel time difference between two possible routes. The controller we develop integrates the provided information with variable speed limits, ramp metering, or other control measures. This makes it possible to influence the turning rates and slow down the traffic in such a way that the performance of the network is optimal, without displaying predicted travel times that differ too much from the experienced travel times. We consider a simple case study for which we first illustrate the effects of the route choice model without any control in a first simulation. Next, we illustrate the effect of variable speed limits in the proposed setting when they are used for incident detection and warning, and when they are used in an integrated control method together with the travel time information.