Optimal coordination of variable speed limits to suppress shock waves

Abstract

We present a model predictive control (MPC) approach to optimally coordinate variable speed limits for free-way traffic. In particular, we consider discrete-valued variable speed limits. Moreover, we also impose a safety constraint that prevents drivers from encountering speed limit drops larger than, say, 10 km/h. The control objective is to minimize the total time that vehicles spend in the network. This approach results in dynamic speed limits that reduce or even eliminate shock waves.