A methodological framework for integrated control in corridor networks

This paper presents a framework for an integrated control system, with an embedded travel demand model that reflects drivers' response to the control strategy. The integrated control problem is formulated as an optimal control problem of determining such control variables as the on-ramp metering rates, the minimum green duration, the maximum green duration (or force off), background cycle length (if coordinated) and the critical time gap for vehicle actuated urban signals, subject to the control constrains, so as to optimize a performance index. The approach takes into consideration the interaction between the control strategy and drivers' response to it recognizing the later as a critical parameter to the performance of the system. Finally, a numerical method is proposed for the solution of the formulated optimal control problem.