Recent developments in traffic flow modeling using macroscopic fundamental diagram

ABSTRACT

This paper presents an overview of the recent developments in traffic flow modelling and analysis using macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD) as well as their applications. In recent literature, various aggregated traffic models have been proposed and studied to analyse traffic flow while enhancing network efficiency. Many of these studies have focused on models based on MFD that describes the relationship between aggregated flow and aggregated density of transport networks. The analysis of MFD has been carried out based on experimental data collected from sensors and GPS, as well as simulation models. Several factors are found to influence the existence and shape of MFD, including traffic demand, network and signal settings, and route choices. As MFD can well express the traffic dynamics of large urban transport networks, it has been extensively applied to traffic studies, including the development of network-wide control strategies, network partitioning, performance evaluation, and road pricing. This work also presents future extensions and research directions for MFD-based traffic modelling and applications.     

关于新时代我国综合交通运输发展的若干思考

为进一步明确交通强国背景下我国综合交通运输发展战略，从理论和实践两个层面论证交通强国与综合交通运输的辩证关系，在此基础上分析了供给侧结构性改革、国家战略支撑、区域协调发展、科技创新、扩大对外开放、治理体系和治理能力现代化等对综合交通运输发展的新要求。以习近平关于综合交通运输的重要论述为根本遵循，研究提出新时代我国综合交通运输发展安全、便捷、高效、绿色、经济的价值导向、总体思路，探讨基础设施、运输服务、科技创新、治理体系四个方面的战略重点，为交通强国背景下我国综合交通运输发展构建了总体战略框架。     

Network traffic flow optimization under performance constraints

In this paper, a model-based perimeter control policy for large-scale urban vehicular networks is proposed. Assuming a homogeneously loaded vehicle network and the existence of a well-posed Network Fundamental Diagram (NFD), we describe a protected network throughout its aggregated dynamics including nonlinear exit flow characteristics. Within this framework of constrained optimal boundary flow gating, two main performance metrics are considered: (a) first, connected to the NFD, the concept of average network travel time and delay as a performance metric is defined; (b) second, at boundaries, we take into account additional external network queue dynamics governed by uncontrolled inflow demands. External queue capacities in terms of finite-link lengths are used as the second performance metric. Hence, the corresponding performance requirement is an upper bound of external queues. While external queues represent vehicles waiting to enter the protected network, internal queue describes the protected network’s aggregated behavior.By controlling the number of vehicles joining the internal queue from the external ones, herewith a network traffic flow maximization solution subject to the internal and external dynamics and their performance constraints is developed. The originally non-convex optimization problem is transformed to a numerically efficiently convex one by relaxing the performance constraints into time-dependent state boundaries. The control solution can be interpreted as a mechanism which transforms the unknown arrival process governing the number of vehicles entering the network to a regulated process, such that prescribed performance requirements on travel time in the network and upper bound on the external queue are satisfied. Comparative numerical simulation studies on a microscopic traffic simulator are carried out to show the benefits of the proposed method.     

Traffic guidance–perimeter control coupled method for the congestion in a macro network

Macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD) describes the macro relationship between a network vehicle density and a network space mean flow, without requiring the mastery of complex origin to destination data. Thus, MFD provides an opportunity for the macro control of urban road network. However, most of the existing MFD control methods ignore the active role of traffic guidance in solving congestion problems. This study presents a traffic guidance–perimeter control coupled (TGPCC) method to improve the performance of macroscopic traffic networks. The method considers the optimal cumulative volume of a network as the goal and establishes a programming function according to the network equilibrium rule of traffic flow amongst multiple MFD sub-regions, which regards the minimum delay of network, as the objective. The Logit model for the compliance rate of driver route guidance is established by the stated preference survey. Moreover, the perimeter control (PC) method is proposed for adjusting the phase split of intersections. Finally, three schemes, namely, the TGPCC, PC and the method without PC and guidance are tested on a network with four well-defined MFD sub-regions. Results show that the TGPCC addresses the issue of congestion and decreases the total delay accordingly.     

大跨度悬索桥锚跨索股张力计算参数影响分析

为提高悬索桥锚跨索股张力控制精度,针对锚跨索股的构造特点,基于解析法推导了锚跨索股张力控制精度的一般表达式;结合大型通用有限元计算程序,建立了锚跨索股的两种不同的力学等效计算模型,分析了拉杆的边界条件、物理特性、长度比值等因素对锚跨索股张力计算结果的影响幅度及规律。研究结果表明:拉杆的边界条件对计算结果的影响较大,且拉杆边界条件的特性随索股内部张力的变化而变化,即边界条件由铰接状态向固结状态演变;拉杆弯曲刚度对锚跨索股张力计算结果的影响,主要是由连接拉杆的长度比值决定,当拉杆长度比值小于一定限值或索股应力处于某特定状态时,可将锚跨内的双连接拉杆简化为单连接拉杆进行分析,对应的计算结果仍具有较高精度。     

Analytical Solutions to the Fundamental Frequency of Arbitrary Laminated Plates under Various Boundary Conditions

In recent years, as the composite laminated plates are widely used in engineering practice such as aerospace, marine and building engineering, the vibration problem of the composite laminated plates is...     

三跨异型连续钢箱梁动力特性改善研究

某三跨异型连续钢箱梁人行天桥在行人通过时晃动明显,经有限元分析和规范计算该桥主跨的竖向基频为2.54Hz,正好位于易发生人桥共振的2.0~3.0Hz区间内.为了改善该桥的动力特性,找到了原设计中不满足规范竖向基频的原因,并提出了在主跨钢箱梁顶板上焊接10cm高T型钢板,并作横向连接形成封闭箱室以提高箱梁有效高度的措施,通过三维有限元多方案分析,能够将该桥主跨的竖向基频提高至3.3Hz.所推荐的方案简单易行,对交通干扰小,可有效减小人行天桥的晃动,可为同类工程提供借鉴.     

测试技术在齿轮工艺质量分析中的应用

首先以微观与宏观相结合的方法,分析了齿轮加工中的误差源.其次,以模糊逻辑误差诊断方法为基础,对齿轮加工误差源诊断问题进行了分析研究,并结合实际工作,介绍了诊断实例.     

砂岩热损伤微观结构与宏观物理特性演化规律研究

为探讨砂岩热损伤微观结构与宏观物理特性演化规律，借助核磁共振与SEM电镜扫描技术对砂岩开展100、200、300、400、500、600、700、800、900 ℃的循环热处理试验。结果表明： 400 ℃后，砂岩试样的表观形态、质量和体积等物理参数均发生显著变化，砂岩物理参数发生变化的临界温度在400 ℃左右； 400 ℃后砂岩的微裂纹及孔洞开始发育，700 ℃后新生裂纹快速萌生、扩展和贯通； 300 ℃后孔隙度缓慢增加，热损伤开始发育，500 ℃后岩样受热应力及相变耦合作用，裂纹发育迅速，致使孔隙度急剧增加；渗透率与孔隙度呈现出不同的演化规律； 砂岩小孔呈现出先增加、后降低，中孔呈现出先降低、后增加，大孔则呈现出先增加、后降低、再增加的变化趋势。     

A three-dimensional macroscopic fundamental diagram for mixed bi-modal urban networks

Recent research has studied the existence and the properties of a macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD) for large urban networks. The MFD should not be universally expected as high scatter or hysteresis might appear for some type of networks, like heterogeneous networks or freeways. In this paper, we investigate if aggregated relationships can describe the performance of urban bi-modal networks with buses and cars sharing the same road infrastructure and identify how this performance is influenced by the interactions between modes and the effect of bus stops. Based on simulation data, we develop a three-dimensional vehicle MFD (3D-vMFD) relating the accumulation of cars and buses, and the total circulating vehicle flow in the network. This relation experiences low scatter and can be approximated by an exponential-family function. We also propose a parsimonious model to estimate a three-dimensional passenger MFD (3D-pMFD), which provides a different perspective of the flow characteristics in bi-modal networks, by considering that buses carry more passengers. We also show that a constant Bus–Car Unit (BCU) equivalent value cannot describe the influence of buses in the system as congestion develops. We then integrate a partitioning algorithm to cluster the network into a small number of regions with similar mode composition and level of congestion. Our results show that partitioning unveils important traffic properties of flow heterogeneity in the studied network. Interactions between buses and cars are different in the partitioned regions due to higher density of buses. Building on these results, various traffic management strategies in bi-modal multi-region urban networks can then be integrated, such as redistribution of urban space among different modes, perimeter signal control with preferential treatment of buses and bus priority.