Area Traffic Control and Network Equilibrium

Abstract

Area traffic control systems play an important role in determining the equilibrium between demand and supply in an urban highway network. The paper describes some of the methods that have been developed for the operation of these systems and derives the level-of-service that would result from a given set of flows. Currently used techniques attempt to optimize network performance assuming a fixed pattern of demands. It is shown, via an example, that control measures can be used to affect the demand pattern in such a way that total network performance is improved. A model for achieving this objective is discussed.