PATH

In this research, the authors focus on the problem of designing hierarchical, hybrid controllers for large scale systems. An overview of the proposed design process is first given. A modeling formalism is then introduced which allows for the modeling of multi-agent systems with hybrid dynamics in a modular fashion. An algorithm that makes use of ideas from game theory to capture the interaction between the agents, derive continuous controllers and quantify the discrete coordination needed to achieve certain performance objectives is presented. The algorithm is then applied to the problem...

Nonrecurrent traffic congestion caused by construction work constitutes a large proportion of the traffic congestion on highways. In TO 5300, we developed a comprehensive work zone traffic impact assessment procedure using a series of state-of-the-art dynamic network analysis tools as building blocks. This procedure is then implemented into a work zone traffic impact assessment software package called NetZone. This software package is capable of estimating time-dependent travel demand based on link counts, estimating demand diversion in response to work zone delay and various traffic...

There is increasing interest in building new high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes and in converting high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes with unused capacity to HOT lanes. Like HOV lanes, HOT lanes provide an incentive for travelers to use HOVs, but unlike HOV lanes, they can always be well utilized by varying the toll over the congested period, thus providing more congestion relief than an HOV lane with unused capacity. This report provides guidelines regarding the circumstances in which HOT, HOV, and mixed flow lanes are most appropriate. Using a queueing model combined with a mode choice model...

Work done under TO 5306 led to three accomplistments. First, a measure of freeway productivity was proposed. Second, the causes of productivity decline led to the notion of "congestion pie." Both productivity loss and congestion pie are available at PeMS applications. Third, the study entitled "An Empirical Assessment of Traffic Operations" [1] provides a detailed empirical account of congestion.