A comprehensive review of tidal traffic flow control: From conventional lane reversal to emerging internal boundary control

Abstract

The domain of traffic control presents a wide scope of research, attractive not only for its practical applications but also for its theoretical implications. The subject of this research has been the focus of worldwide investigation for several decades, resulting in ongoing challenges and opportunities for researchers and engineers in control systems. One particularly interesting case arises when, over the course of a day, there is an imbalance in the traffic flow between two opposing directions of travel. A reversible lane control system may be the solution to alleviate congestion and improve traffic flow in this scenario. The application of reversible lane systems to mitigate traffic congestion and improve mobility has been a global practice since the 1930s, encompassing various road types. This research area, developed over recent decades by numerous international research groups, presents ongoing challenges and opportunities, thus inspiring the transportation engineering community. The rapid progress in autonomous and connected vehicle technology signals a transformative period for road traffic. In this context, it would be beneficial to conduct a comprehensive survey of established lane reversal control methods for traffic networks. This initiative would provide researchers with valuable resources to effectively address the challenges of future traffic management. Recent advancements in traffic control, such as static and dynamic lane reversal and the innovative internal boundary control for the lane-free paradigm, are reviewed in this paper, focusing on bidirectional capacity sharing. Furthermore, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis has been conducted and included in this study.