The New Jersey Institute of Technology's
Electronic Theses & Dissertations Project

Title:	Dynamic multi-ramp metering control with simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation (SPSA)
Author:	Luo, Jiangtao
View Online:	njit-etd2003-079 (xviii, 191 pages ~ 9.8 MB pdf)
Department:	Executive Committee for the Interdisciplinary Program in Transportation
Degree:	Doctor of Philosophy
Program:	Transportation
Document Type:	Dissertation
Advisory Committee:	Chien, I-Jy Steven (Committee chair) Bladikas, Athanassios K. (Committee member) Spasovic, Lazar (Committee member) Daniel, Janice Rhoda (Committee member) Mouskos, Kyriacos (Committee member)
Date:	2003-05
Keywords:	ramp metering freeway dynamic optimization traffic control
Availability:	Unrestricted
Abstract:	Ramp metering was proven to be a viable form of freeway traffic control strategy, which could eliminate, or at least reduce, freeway congestion. In this study, the development of ramp metering control strategies, models, and constraints (e.g., meter locations, ramp storage capacities, lower and upper bounds of ramp metering rates) are discussed in detail. The pre-timed and demand/capacity metering control strategies were first evaluated, while the potential metered ramps were determined. A Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation (SPSA) algorithm is proposed to dynamically optimize multiple-ramp metering control by maximizing the total throughput subject to a number of constraints. The ramp metering rates subject to dynamic traffic conditions and capacity constraints are considered as decision variables in the SPSA algorithm. Based on the collected geometric and traffic data, a CORSIM model was developed to simulate traffic operation for the study site. The potential benefit of the dynamic multi-ramp metering control model under time varying traffic condition was simulated and evaluated. The increased total throughput and reduced total delay were observed, while the traffic conditions suitable for implementing ramp metering control were suggested. The developed dynamic multi-ramp metering control with SPSA algorithm has demonstrated its effectiveness to improve freeway operation.