Coordinated Perimeter Control for Multiregion Heterogeneous Networks Based on Optimized Transfer Flows

Exploring efficient control strategies for heterogeneously congested urban networks remains a big research challenge. The theory of macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD) provides a new perspective for network-wide congestion control decisions. This paper proposes a coordinated perimeter control strategy for multiregion heterogeneous networks based on optimized transfer flows. First, a two-layer network partitioning method is presented to capture spatial heterogeneity dynamics of urban networks. For this partition, traffic flow equilibrium model based on MFD and multiagent based hierarchical traffic management scheme are built. Then, an improved multinomial logit model is developed for deriving optimized transfer flows among multiple congested regions. A coordinated perimeter control strategy using model predictive control is further proposed, which is aimed at tracking desired accumulations of each congested region. As a case study, the proposed control strategy is applied to the downtown network of Jinan, China, using simulation analysis. The results demonstrate that it can achieve balanced network flow distribution and increased mobility.