Traffic flow optimisation in presence of vehicle automation and communication systems – Part II: Optimal control for multi-lane motorways

•An optimal control problem based on a first-order multi-lane traffic flow model is proposed.•The problem accounts for the coordinated use of ramp metering, mainstream traffic flow control, and lane-changing control.•The exploitation of vehicle automation and communication systems (VACS) as actuators is envisaged.•The effectiveness of this methodology is demonstrated using a real urban motorway as test-bed.

Integrated motorway traffic flow control considering the use of Vehicle Automation and Communication Systems (VACS) is considered in this paper. VACS may act both as sensors (providing information on traffic conditions) and as actuators, permitting the deployment of ramp metering, variable speed limits, and lane changing control. The integrated traffic control problem is addressed through the formulation of a linearly constrained optimal control problem based on the first-order multi-lane model for motorways introduced and validated in a companion paper (Part I). A case study illustrating the potential improvements achievable using this approach is presented.