Integrated Agent-Based Travel Behavior and Dynamic Traffic Microsimulation for Ramp-Metering Analysis

Ramp-metering control has long been an effective strategy in active traffic management and integrated corridor management and has received increased research attention in recent decades. Although most existing studies analyze ramp metering at the corridor level and in the context of traffic conditions and effects, how travelers respond to ramp-metering control often is neglected. This neglect is partially because of the lack of behavioral data. More important, a comprehensive modeling framework that models travel behavior and traffic dynamics for the evaluation of ramp-metering control is not readily available. This paper develops an integrated agent-based microsimulation to model travel behavior and traffic dynamics and applies the modeling approach to dynamic ramp-metering control. Minute-by-minute control of the ramp-metering rate not only encourages dynamic route changes but also can lead to day-to-day travel behavior adjustments because of the significant effect of ramp metering on traffic conditions in the affected freeway main line and the local area. A real-world application in Maryland demonstrates the model, showcases the behaviorally rich en route diversion and departure time responses to ramp-metering control, and assesses the corridor-level and regional traffic effects.