Research on Intelligent Traffic Control Strategy of Highway Tunnels: Take Shenzhong Link as an Example

With the increase of the highway tunnel length and the total mileage of tunnels under operation, the potential safe driving issues in tunnels are urgent problems to be solved. This paper proposes an intelligent traffic control strategy based on the tunnel control unit concept. The definition and division principle of the tunnel control unit is proposed and the model of tunnel traffic flow control strategy is established. The decision-making process of tunnel control units’ traffic flow control strategies under accident and congestion conditions is explained. Using the VISSIM simulation tool, a simulation model for the immersed tunnel of cross-river link between Shenzhen and Zhongshan (Shenzhong Link) is built and a traffic accident condition is used as a case study. Compared with the traffic flow status under controlled and uncontrolled conditions, the results showed that the traffic control strategy worked efficiently for improving traffic speed and reducing the delay time.