Abstract
Variable Speed Limit (VSL) is a traffic operation method of preventing accidents and improving traffic conditions. The VSL management technique for highway is already being applied and operated in Germany, the UK, and other countries in Europe. But there are few studies about the effect of VSL on traffic flow. This paper aims to study the principle of VSL and the effect of VSL on traffic flow theoretically using the fundamental traffic model and shockwave theory. In this paper, changes in traffic flow state with VSL are explained using the time/distance headway of the vehicle trajectory and are then converted into aggregate data in order to apply the real traffic condition easily. Finally the findings are verified by the numerical method and VISSIM simulation.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allaby, P., Hellinga, B., and Bullok, M. (2007). “Variable speed limits: Safety and operational impacts of a candidate control strategy for freeway applications.” IEEE, Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 671–680.
Hegyi, A. (2004). Model predictive control for integrating traffic control measurers, PhD Thesis, TRAIL Thesis Series T2004/2, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands.
Lee, C., Hellinga, B., and Saccomanno, F. (2004). “Assessing safety benefits of various speed limits.” Transportation Research Record, Vol. 1897, pp. 183–190.
Lee, C., Hellinga, B., and Saccomanno, F. (2006). “Evaluation of variable speed limits to improve traffic safety.” Transportation Research Part C, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 213–228.
Newell, G. F. (1993). “A simplified theory of kinematic waves in highway traffic, Part I: General theory.” Transportation Research Part B, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 281–287.
Papageorgiou, M., Kosmatopoulos, E., and Papamichail, I. (2008). “Effect of variable speed limits on motorway traffic flow.” Transportation Research Record, Vol. 2047, pp. 37–48.
Stephanopoulos, G., Michalopoulous, P. G., and Stephanopoulous, G. (1979). “Modelling and analysis of traffic queue dynamics at signalized intersections.” Transportation Research Part A, Vol. 13, No. 5, pp. 295–307.
Zackor, H. (1991) Speed limitation on freeways: Traffic-responsive strategies, The Concise Encyclopedia of Traffic and Transportation Systems, Oxford.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cho, H., Kim, Y. Analysis of traffic flow with Variable Speed Limit on highways. KSCE J Civ Eng 16, 1048–1056 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-012-1395-x
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-012-1395-x