Graphical route information panel and macroscopic simulation based investigation of its control benefits

A recent effort to control urban freeway network and alleviate congestion is using graphical route information panels (GRIPs). This paper first introduces function and location of GRIPs for the urban freeway network in Shanghai, China. Second, it deals with the information display method of GRIP; Then, it proposes a macroscopic traffic flow model based simulation platform for investigating control benefits of GRIP. The simulation platform combines Papageorgiou´s METANET model with the GRIP influence model. Next, control benefits of GRIP in terms of re-current congestion alleviation were examined on a hypothetical freeway network through a case study. Simulation results indicate that GRIP have a positive potential of reducing re-current congestions and facilitate more efficient use of road infrastructures. Last, Concluding remarks are given.