Modeling and optimization of road transport facility operations

Purpose – This paper aims to present a linear mathematical framework for modeling and optimizing road transport infrastructure. The framework assesses and optimizes performance of existing transport facility rather than relying on building new roads for the ever-increasing travel demand. Design/methodology/approach – The mathematical framework is built upon a traffic model called Cell Transmission Model (CTM). CTM describes the relationship and evolution of traffic flow and concentration over space and time. The model is parsimonious and accurate in predicting traffic dynamics. More importantly, the traffic flow model is piecewise linear with which the corresponding transport facility optimization problem can be formulated as a Linear Programming (LP) problem and solved by established solution algorithm for global optimality. Findings – We select a section on England Motorway M25 as a case study. With traffic data, we first calibrate the CTM, and we are able to produce traffic estimation with a reasonable error rate of 12 per cent. The corresponding LP then seeks an optimal ramp metering strategy that minimizes the delay on the motorway. It is shown that an optimal and practical strategy can be derived which reduces the motorway delay by 10 per cent without significantly hurting the surrounding connectors. Originality/value – Instead of the tedious microscopic models used by many traditional tools, the underlying CTM is parsimonious and reliable. The tools developed herein are based upon plausible traffic theory and will be accessible for a wide range of users. The LP formulation can be easily implemented and solved for optimal and practical control strategies for real-world transport networks by using existing computer software (CPLEX) within reasonable computational time. The present work will certainly contribute to the sustainable development of transport facility.