Modeling and Implementation of an Integrated Ramp Metering-Diamond Interchange Control System

This paper addresses a modeling approach to analyzing an integrated system that includes freeway mainlines, ramp metering, and an upstream signalized diamond interchange. The modeling approach takes into consideration of the various components, their operational characteristics, and their interactions within the system. Strategies are also proposed for real-time operation and possible field implementation. The key element of achieving an integrated operation is to control the ramp feeding the traffic through special signal timings at the diamond interchange. Whenever a long queue is detected at the metered ramp, the signal timing should be adjusted to reduce the traffic flows entering the ramp. In this way, the ramp meter will remain in operation as long as possible, which would delay the onset of queue flush (i.e., termination of ramp meter) and minimize the possibilities of a freeway breakdown. Because a diamond interchange is usually controlled by special signal phasing and timing, the control strategies are specially focused on the special diamond signal phasing schemes. The system design and system architecture are also presented for potential deployment of the system in the field.