An adaptive control scheme for local and coordinated ramp metering

Abstract

This study aims to provide insights and demonstrate the properties and the performance of a nonlinear adaptive control scheme which has been recently developed to address the ramp metering problem arising in freeways. The proposed scheme consists of a nominal feedback law in conjunction with a nonlinear observer which aims to estimate some unknown system variables. A distinguishing novelty of the proposed approach is that it can inherently be applied both at local and coordinated levels. The control scheme is tested for realistic traffic scenarios using a macroscopic traffic flow simulator as a surrogate for potential field application. Comparison tests have been performed with other control strategies proposed in the literature and employed already in the field.