This report describes optimization techniques which have been developed and applied for the evaluation of design and operations of freeway incident detection-service systems. The report has four major parts: (1) analysis and design of stationary service systems; (2) analysis and design of incident detection algorithms; (3) analysis and design of incident response systems; and (4) analysis and design of freeway on-ramp traffic-responsive control methodology for normal and incident conditions.

This handbook, which was developed in recognition of the need for the compilation and dissemination of information on advanced traffic control systems, presents the basic principles for the planning, design, and implementation of such systems for urban streets and freeways. The presentation concept and organization of this handbook is developed from the viewpoint of systems engineering. Traffic control studies are described, and traffic control and surveillance concepts are reviewed. Hardware components are outlined, and computer concepts, and communication concepts are stated. Local and central controllers are described, as well as display, television and driver information systems. Available systems technology and candidate system definition, evaluation and implementation are also covered. The management of traffic control systems is discussed.

Provided is an overview of the Nation's transportation system which identifies future investments required to maintain and develop its infrastructure. The contents of this study were used in support of the National Transportation Policy Statement, issued by the Department of Transportation during March 1990. It is organized around a framework in which transportation is viewed as an integral part of our socioeconomic system. The future development of transportation will be influenced by the same factors affecting the rest of the system, namely, demographic changes, the future course of the economy, the energy supply, and preservation of the environment.

This synthesis will be of interest to state and local traffic engineers, transportation planners, transit operators, law enforcement officials, public information agencies, and others responsible for the transportation elements of freeway corridors. Information is provided on the policies and procedures for freeway corridor management, and descriptions of a number of techniques and practices are presented. Traffic growth and increasing congestion on urban freeways require a comprehensive approach toward managing the complex elements of freeway operations. This report of the Transportation Research Board provides information on freeway corridor management strategies, the components of management, examples of effective applications of the strategies, and benefits of freeway corridor management. The management techniques that are discussed include freeway surveillance and control; corridor street surveillance and control; high-occupancy vehicle facilities and incentives; police enforcement and traffic control; hazardous material and other truck traffic restrictions; alternative route planning; motorist assistance patrols; motorist information techniques; and traffic management for recurrent congestion, for incidents, for special events, and for work zones.

This book develops a methodology for designing feedback control laws for dynamic traffic assignment (DTA) exploiting the introduction of new sensing and information-dissemination technologies to facilitate the introduction of real-time traffic management in intelligent transportation systems. Three methods of modeling the traffic system are discussed: partial differential equations representing a distributed-parameter setting; continuous-time ordinary differential equations (ODEs) representing a continuous-time lumped-parameter setting; and discreet-time ODEs representing a discrete-time lumped-parameter setting. Feedback control formulations for reaching road-user-equilibrium are presented for each setting and advantages and disadvantage of using each are addressed. The closed-loop methods described are proposed expressly to avoid the counter-productive shifting of bottlenecks from one route to another because of driver over-reaction to routing information. The second edition of Feedback Control Theory for Dynamic Traffic Assignment has been thoroughly updated with completely new chapters: a review of the DTA problem and emphasizing real-time-feedback-based problems; an up-to-date presentation of pertinent traffic-flow theory; and a treatment of the mathematical solution to the traffic dynamics. Techinques accounting for the importance of entropy are further new inclusions at various points in the text. Researchers working in traffic control will find the theoretical material presented a sound basis for further research; the continual reference to applications will help professionals working in highway administration and engineering with the increasingly important task of maintaining and smoothing traffic flow; the extensive use of end-of-chapter exercises will help the graduate student and those new to the field to extend their knowledge.

Planning at a metropolitan scale is important for effective management of urban growth, transportation systems, air quality, and watershed and green-spaces. It is fundamental to efforts to promote social justice and equity. Best Practices in Metropolitan Transportation Planning shows how the most innovative metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in the United States are addressing these issues using their mandates to improve transportation networks while pursuing emerging sustainability goals at the same time. As both a policy analysis and a practical how-to guide, this book presents cutting-edge original research on the role accessibility plays - and should play - in transportation planning, tracks how existing plans have sought to balance competing priorities using scenario planning and other strategies, assesses the results of various efforts to reduce automobile dependence in cities, and explains how to make planning documents more powerful and effective. In highlighting the most innovative practices implemented by MPOs, regional planning councils, city and county planning departments and state departments of transportation, this book aims to influence other planning organizations, as well as influence federal and state policy discussions and legislation.