Abstract
This paper deals with an assessment project and its results of an experiment with ramp metering based on fuzzy logic. In industrial processes and home appliances the control method based on fuzzy logic is being used more and
more. In traffic control however the use of this method is still in a research phase. To our knowledge, the only real-life example, apart from several simulation studies, was an intersection with fuzzy control in Poznan, Poland.
To investigate the usefulness of fuzzy logic in traffic control, it was decided to develop and implement an algorithm for ramp metering based on fuzzy logic and to compare it with two other control algorithms used in The Netherlands:
the RWS (Rijkswaterstaat) and the ALINEA (Asservissement Linéaire d’Entree Autoroutière) strategy. These three algorithms were implemented in the existing ramp metering system on the Zoetermeer on-ramp of the A12 motorway from The Hague to Utrecht. The adjusted metering system was operational in May 1995.
The paper describes the background of the project and the three control strategies implemented. It will also describe the data collected, the traffic aspects analyzed and the results. The results of the assessment show that the metering strategy based on fuzzy logic was performing better than the other metering strategies: the capacity of the bottleneck increased, giving a better throughput, higher speeds and a shorter travel time. However, also a problem with the fuzzy strategy was observed: it switches on and off too often, which is not preferable from a safety point of view. Probably this problem can be fixed by fine tuning the algorithm. Therefore, the conclusion is that fuzzy logic can be used for on-ramp control and that for the test site it gives good results. Further research should focus on tuning the algorithm and on the sensitivity of the input variables used. The results also give rise to have another look at the other control algorithms to see whether they can be improved.
more. In traffic control however the use of this method is still in a research phase. To our knowledge, the only real-life example, apart from several simulation studies, was an intersection with fuzzy control in Poznan, Poland.
To investigate the usefulness of fuzzy logic in traffic control, it was decided to develop and implement an algorithm for ramp metering based on fuzzy logic and to compare it with two other control algorithms used in The Netherlands:
the RWS (Rijkswaterstaat) and the ALINEA (Asservissement Linéaire d’Entree Autoroutière) strategy. These three algorithms were implemented in the existing ramp metering system on the Zoetermeer on-ramp of the A12 motorway from The Hague to Utrecht. The adjusted metering system was operational in May 1995.
The paper describes the background of the project and the three control strategies implemented. It will also describe the data collected, the traffic aspects analyzed and the results. The results of the assessment show that the metering strategy based on fuzzy logic was performing better than the other metering strategies: the capacity of the bottleneck increased, giving a better throughput, higher speeds and a shorter travel time. However, also a problem with the fuzzy strategy was observed: it switches on and off too often, which is not preferable from a safety point of view. Probably this problem can be fixed by fine tuning the algorithm. Therefore, the conclusion is that fuzzy logic can be used for on-ramp control and that for the test site it gives good results. Further research should focus on tuning the algorithm and on the sensitivity of the input variables used. The results also give rise to have another look at the other control algorithms to see whether they can be improved.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 3rd World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 1996 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | 3rd World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems - Orlando, United States Duration: 14 Oct 1996 → 18 Oct 1996 |
Conference
| Conference | 3rd World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Orlando |
| Period | 14/10/96 → 18/10/96 |