Optimizing the efficiency and equity of traffic flow : development of a control strategy for freeway corridors using dynamic Bayesian decision networks

Armstrong, Jennifer

doi:10.22215/etd/2011-09598

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…Table 1 summarizes these definitions, using the components of equity (i.e., the column headings) as described by Litman (5). The main focus of these studies is on evaluating equity of different RM algorithms, incorporating equity within the RM strategy, or assessing the trade-off between efficiency and equity (8,22,23).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The underlying reason for evaluating equity for ramp metering has been to increase user acceptance. Reviews of the literature state that public perception of an inequitable system (regardless of the system efficiency) ultimately influences the success of the RM initiative (8,9). The most prominent example is the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, where the "Ramp Metering Holiday" Bill that was passed by the state legislature included switching ramp metering off for a period of eight weeks in late 2000 (10).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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New Horizontal Equity Measure for Ramp Meters

Amini

Gardner

Waller

2016

Transportation Research Record

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Ramp metering is a control technology used to manage the flow of traffic entering motorways and freeways, with the primary aim of minimizing congestion on the main thoroughfare. This technique has been studied and implemented globally since the 1960s. It has been shown that ramp meters improve the overall efficiency of the system; however, the distribution of the benefits and costs across users has been questioned, and this is one of the main constraints on user acceptance of the ramp metering system. The typical methodology used in the literature is to assume that the most equitable condition is when all on-ramps have the same delay across space or time. This research developed a new definition of horizontal equity for ramp meters and a proposed method for calculating it. A hypothetical microsimulation model was developed on the basis of a motorway in Sydney, Australia, and used as the platform to demonstrate how the proposed equity definition can be evaluated. To assist in the interpretation, two configurations of a ramp metering algorithm were simulated and compared. Finally, the typical equality measure used in the literature was calculated for the same scenarios and compared with the proposed equity measure. The results showed that these two measures can favor scenarios. A qualitative discussion of the expected benefits of the proposed equity measure is offered. Those expected benefits are an easy-tocommunicate means of justifying the metering rates for user acceptance (rates that are arguably fairer, compared with the typical equality measure); a measure that is complementary to integration with other intelligent transportation system technology such as tolled bypass lanes; and ease of incorporation in the long-term traffic management plan.Equity, as a representation of justice or fairness, refers to the distribution of impacts (benefits and costs) and whether that distribution is considered appropriate. Road authorities consider these distributions as part of the evaluation process of transport projects and as essential for the support of public officials and the general public (1-4). How equity is defined and measured can significantly affect analysis results.There are three fundamental classifications of equity: (a) equality or egalitarian, where each person is assigned the same amount of benefit; (b) horizontal equity (also called market equity), which relies on the idea that you should get what you pay for-thus, benefits and costs are distributed on the basis of the amount of benefits and costs that are received from the individual; and (c) vertical equity, where benefits are distributed on the basis of the needs or socioeconomic status of the individual. However, when evaluating the equity of a system, many other aspects also must be considered, including the measure of benefits and costs, the aggregation method to obtain measurements, the categories of people, the definition of the base case, and the formulation used to summarize the distribution (5).Ramp meters (RMs) have been in use for more than 5...

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%