Evaluation of the Applicability of the Ramp Metering to a Freeway Using Microsimulation: A Case Study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, suffers from traffic congestion like other modern societies, during peak hours but also all day long, even without any incidents. To solve this horrible traffic congestion problem, various efforts have been made from the Active Traffic Management (ATM) aspect. Ramp metering (RM) is one of the representative methods of the ATM and has already proven its value in many locations worldwide. Unfortunately, RM has not yet been fully implemented in Saudi Arabia. This research aimed to assess the applicability of RM to a freeway in Riyadh using microsimulation. The widely known software VISSIM (PTV Planung Transport Verkehr AG, Germany, 1992) was chosen to compare the performances of various RM operating scenarios, such as fixedtime operation with different sub-scenarios and traffic-responsive operation using ALINEA (Asservissement Lineaire d’entree Autoroutiere) algorithm. For the simulations, this study targeted Makkah Road, one of the major freeways in Riyadh, and collected geometrical data and traffic data from that freeway. Analysis of four main scenarios and eight sub-scenarios, proved that overall performance of the fixed-time RM operation is generally good. The sub-scenario 4V3R of the fixed-time RM operation was the best in average queue length reduction. However, the traffic-responsive operation was best in average speed improvement.

Analysis and Evaluation of Ramp Metering: From Historical Evolution to the Application of New Algorithms and Engineering Principles

“…Faster Internet connections will allow a more rapid data exchange in real time between vehicles and infrastructure, allowing users to get real-time information on their vehicles. Public transport may become more popular and used more often, leading to the need for related ramp metering models [31,32].…”

Review of driving-behaviour simulation: VISSIM and artificial intelligence approach

“… By creating diverging flows in off-ramp areas, congestion was less likely to occur. [ 66 ] W 99 & Ln. Chg. Freeway Examining the use of Ramp-Metering (RM) on a motorway.…”

“…The combines Wiedemann 99 and lane-change model parameters and their approaches [ 66 ]. analysed the applicability of ramp metering to a motorway utilising car-following and lane-change parameters.…”

Data-Driven Evaluation Methodology for Active Traffic Management Systems Utilizing Sparse Speed Data

“…The study focused on speed, travel time, and density, as well as conflict types for the safety analysis. Several similar simulations have been implemented to study the traffic flow and safety impacts of various ATM approaches (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31).…”