Integrated Agent-Based Travel Behavior and Dynamic Traffic Microsimulation for Ramp-Metering Analysis

Ramp-metering control has long been an effective strategy in active traffic management and integrated corridor management and has received increased research attention in recent decades. Although most existing studies analyze ramp metering at the corridor level and in the context of traffic conditions and effects, how travelers respond to ramp-metering control often is neglected. This neglect is partially because of the lack of behavioral data. More important, a comprehensive modeling framework that models travel behavior and traffic dynamics for the evaluation of ramp-metering control is not readily available. This paper develops an integrated agent-based microsimulation to model travel behavior and traffic dynamics and applies the modeling approach to dynamic ramp-metering control. Minute-by-minute control of the ramp-metering rate not only encourages dynamic route changes but also can lead to day-to-day travel behavior adjustments because of the significant effect of ramp metering on traffic conditions in the affected freeway main line and the local area. A real-world application in Maryland demonstrates the model, showcases the behaviorally rich en route diversion and departure time responses to ramp-metering control, and assesses the corridor-level and regional traffic effects.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.3141/2665-02
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780309441810
• Authors:
  • Xiong, Chenfeng
  • Pan, Yixuan
  • Lee, Minha
  • Zhu, Zheng
  • Zhang, Lei
• Publication Date: 2017

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 11–20
• Monograph Title: Travel Behavior and Values, Volume 2
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 2665
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Dynamic traffic assignment; Freeways; Microsimulation; Ramp metering; Traffic simulation; Travel behavior
• Geographic Terms: Maryland
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01629545
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309441810
• Report/Paper Numbers: 17-05923
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 20 2017 9:23AM