Influence of Spatial Placement of Variable Speed Limit Zones on Urban Motorway Traffic Control

  • Josip Miloš Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, University of Zagreb
  • Patrik Hršak Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, University of Zagreb
  • Nikola Topić Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, University of Zagreb
  • Leon Jakšić Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, University of Zagreb
  • Krešimir Kušić Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, University of Zagreb https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9244-2364
  • Filip Vrbanić Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, University of Zagreb https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4550-6681
  • Edouard Ivanjko Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, University of Zagreb https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2083-0672
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7307/ptt.v34i4.4073
Keywords: intelligent transportation systems, traffic control, variable speed limit, urban motorways, speed limit and acceleration zones

Abstract

Traffic control approaches, in particular Variable Speed Limit (VSL), are often studied as solutions to improve the level of service on urban motorways. However, the efficiency of VSL strongly depends on the spatiotemporal arrangement of VSL zones. It is crucial to determine the lengths and locations of VSL zones for best VSL efficiency before deployment in a real system, as the optimal length of the VSL zone and its distance from the bottleneck directly affects traffic dynamics and, thus, bottleneck control. Therefore, in this study, we perform the analysis of different VSL zones lengths and their positions by using a closed-loop Simple Proportional Speed Controller for VSL (SPSC-VSL). We evaluate the different VSL zone configurations and their impact on traffic flow control and vehicle emissions in a SUMO microscopic simulation on a high traffic demand scenario. The results support the observations of previous researchers on the significant dependence of VSL zone placement on VSL efficiency. Additionally, new data-based (traffic parameters and vehicle emissions) evidence of the performance of the SPSC-VSL design are provided regarding the best placement of consecutive VSL zones for motorway bottleneck control not analysed in previous research.

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Published
2022-07-04
How to Cite
1.
Miloš J, Hršak P, Topić N, Jakšić L, Kušić K, Vrbanić F, Ivanjko E. Influence of Spatial Placement of Variable Speed Limit Zones on Urban Motorway Traffic Control. Promet [Internet]. 2022Jul.4 [cited 2024Dec.22];34(4):511-22. Available from: https://traffic.fpz.hr/index.php/PROMTT/article/view/4073
Issue
Vol 34 No 4 (2022)
Section
Articles

Copyright (c) 2022 Josip MILOŠ, Patrik HRŠAK, Nikola TOPIĆ, Leon JAKŠIĆ, Krešimir KUŠIĆ, Filip VRBANIĆ, Edouard IVANJKO

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