Research recently conducted at the University of Central Florida involving crashes on Interstate-4 in Orlando, Florida has led to the creation of new statistical and neural networks models that are capable of determining the crash risk on the freeway (Abdel-Aty et al., 2004; 2005, Pande and Abdel-Aty, 2006). These models are able to calculate rear-end and lane-change crash risks along the freeway in real-time through the use of static information at various locations along the freeway as well as real-time traffic data obtained by loop detectors. Since these models use real-time traffic data, they are capable of calculating rear-end and lane-change crash risk values as the traffic flow conditions are changing on the freeway. The objective of this study is to examine the potential benefits of combining two ITS strategies (Ramp Metering and Variable Speed Limits strategies) for reducing the crash risk (both rear-end and lane-change crash risks) along the I-4 freeway. Following this aspect, a 36.25-mile section of I-4 running though Orlando, FL was simulated using the PARAMICS micro-simulation program. Gayah (2006) used the same network to examine the potential benefits of two ITS strategies separately (Route Diversion and Ramp Metering) for reducing the crash risk along the freeway by changing traffic flow parameters. Cunningham (2007) also used the same network to examine the potential benefits of implementing Variable Speed Limits strategy for reducing the crash risk along the freeway. Since the same network is used, the calibration and validation procedures used in this study are the same as these previous two studies. This study simulates three volume loading scenarios on the I-4 freeway. These are 60, 80 and 90 percent loading scenarios. From the final experimental design for the 60 % loading, it was concluded that implementing VSL strategy only was more beneficial to the network than either implementing Ramp Metering everywhere (through the whole network) in conjunction with VSL everywhere or implementing Ramp Metering downtown (in downtown areas only) in conjunction with VSL everywhere. This was concluded from the comparison of the results of this study with the results from Cunningham (2007). However, either implementing Ramp Metering everywhere or downtown in conjunction with VSL everywhere showed safety benefits across the simulated network as well as a reduction in the total travel time. The best case for implementing Ramp Metering everywhere in conjunction with VSL everywhere was using a homogeneous speed zone threshold of 2.5 mph, a speed change distance of half speed zone and a speed change time of 5 minutes in conjunction with a 60 seconds cycle length for the Zone algorithm, a critical occupancy of 0.17 and a 30 seconds cycle length for the ALINEA algorithm. And the best case for implementing Ramp Metering downtown in conjunction with VSL everywhere was using a homogeneous speed zone threshold of 2.5 mph, a speed change distance of half speed zone and a speed change time of 10 minutes in conjunction with a 60 seconds cycle length for the Zone algorithm, a critical occupancy of 0.17 and a 30 seconds cycle length for the ALINEA algorithm. For the 80 % loading, it was concluded that either implementing Ramp Metering everywhere in conjunction with VSL everywhere or implementing Ramp Metering downtown in conjunction with VSL everywhere was more beneficial to the network than implementing VSL strategy only. This was also concluded from the comparison of the results of this study with the results from Cunningham (2007). Moreover, it was concluded that implementing Ramp Metering everywhere in conjunction with VSL everywhere showed higher safety benefits across the simulated network than implementing Ramp Metering downtown in conjunction with VSL everywhere. Also, both of them increased the total travel time a bit, but this was deemed acceptable. Additionally, both of them had successive fluctuations and variations in the average lane-change crash risk vs. time step. The best case for implementing Ramp Metering everywhere in conjunction with VSL everywhere was using a homogeneous speed zone threshold of 5 mph, a speed change distance of half speed zone and a speed change time of 30 minutes in conjunction with a 60 seconds cycle length for the Zone algorithm, a critical occupancy of 0.17 and a 30 seconds cycle length for the ALINEA algorithm. And the best case for implementing Ramp Metering downtown in conjunction with VSL everywhere was using a homogeneous speed zone threshold of 5 mph, a speed change distance of half speed zone and a speed change time of 30 minutes in conjunction with a 60 seconds cycle length for the Zone algorithm, a critical occupancy of 0.17 and a 30 seconds cycle length for the ALINEA algorithm. Searching for the best way to implement both Ramp Metering and VSL strategies in conjunction with each other, an indepth investigation was conducted in order to remove the fluctuations and variations in the crash risk with time step (through the entire simulation period). The entire simulation period is 3 hours, and each time step is 5 minutes, so there are 36 time steps representing the entire simulation period. This indepth investigation led to the idea of not implementing VSL at consecutive zones (using either a gap of one zone or more). Then this idea was applied for the best case of implementing Ramp Metering and VSL everywhere at the 80 % loading, and the successive fluctuations and variations in the crash risk with time step were removed. Moreover, much better safety benefits were found. So, this confirms that this idea was very beneficial to the network. For the 90 % loading, it was concluded that implementing Ramp Metering strategy only (Zone algorithm in downtown areas, and ALINEA algorithm in non downtown areas) was more beneficial to the network than implementing Ramp Metering everywhere in conjunction with VSL everywhere. This was concluded from the comparison of the results of this study with the results from Gayah (2006). However, implementing Ramp Metering everywhere in conjunction with VSL everywhere showed safety benefits across the simulated network as well as a reduction in the total travel time. The best case was using a homogeneous speed zone threshold of 2.5 mph, a speed change distance of the entire speed zone and a speed change time of 20 minutes in conjunction with a 60 seconds cycle length for the Zone algorithm, a critical occupancy of 0.17 and a 30 seconds cycle length for the ALINEA algorithm. In summary, Ramp Metering was more beneficial at congested situations, while Variable Speed Limits were more beneficial at free-flow conditions. At conditions approaching congestion, the combination of Ramp Metering and Variable Speed Limits produced the best benefits. These results illustrate the significant potential of ITS strategies to improve the safety and efficiency of urban freeways.

Variable Speed Limit Sign (VSLS) systems enable transportation managers to dynamically change the posted speed limit in response to prevailing traffic and/or weather conditions. VSLS are thought to improve safety and reduce driver stress while improving traffic flow and travel times. Although VSLS have been implemented in a limited number of jurisdictions throughout the world, there is currently very limited documentation describing the quantitative safety and operational impacts. The impacts that have been reported are primarily from systems in Europe, and may not be directly transferable to other jurisdictions, such as North America. Furthermore, although a number of modelling studies have been performed to date that quantify the impacts of VSLS, the VSLS control strategies are often too complex or based on unrealistic assumptions and therefore cannot be directly applied for practical applications. Consequently, a need exists for an evaluation framework that quantifies the safety and traffic performance impacts of comprehensive VSLS control strategies suitable for practical applications in North America. This paper presents the results of an evaluation of a candidate VSLS system for an urban freeway in Toronto, Canada. The evaluation was conducted using a microscopic simulation model (i. e. a model that predicts individual vehicle movements) combined with a categorical crash potential model for estimating safety impacts. <br /><br /> The objectives of this thesis are: 1) to validate a real-time crash prediction model for a candidate section of freeway; 2) to develop a candidate VSLS control algorithm with potential for practical applications; 3) to evaluate the performance of the VSLS control strategy for a range of traffic conditions in terms of safety and travel time; and 4) to test the sensitivity of the VSLS impact results to modifications of the control algorithm. <br /><br /> The analysis of the VSLS impacts under varying levels of traffic congestion indicated that the candidate control strategy was able to provide large safety benefits without a significant travel time penalty, but only for a limited range of traffic conditions. The tested algorithm was found to be insufficiently robust to operate effectively over a wide range of traffic conditions. However, by modifying parameters of the control algorithm, preliminary analysis identified potential improvements in the performance of the VSLS. The modified control strategy resulted in less overall travel time penalty without an adverse impact on the safety benefits. It is anticipated that further modifications to the VSLS control strategy could result in a VSLS that is able to operate over a wide range of traffic conditions and provide more consistent safety and travel time benefits, and it is recommended that the framework used in this study is an effective tool for optimizing the algorithm structure and parameter values.

Variable Speed Limit Sign (VSLS) systems enable transportation managers to dynamically change the posted speed limit in response to prevailing traffic and/or weather conditions. VSLS are thought to improve safety and reduce driver stress while improving traffic flow and travel times. Although VSLS have been implemented in a limited number of jurisdictions throughout the world, there is currently very limited documentation describing the quantitative safety and operational impacts. The impacts that have been reported are primarily from systems in Europe, and may not be directly transferable to other jurisdictions, such as North America. Furthermore, although a number of modelling studies have been performed to date that quantify the impacts of VSLS, the VSLS control strategies are often too complex or based on unrealistic assumptions and therefore cannot be directly applied for practical applications. Consequently, a need exists for an evaluation framework that quantifies the safety and traffic performance impacts of comprehensive VSLS control strategies suitable for practical applications in North America. This paper presents the results of an evaluation of a candidate VSLS system for an urban freeway in Toronto, Canada. The evaluation was conducted using a microscopic simulation model (i. e. a model that predicts individual vehicle movements) combined with a categorical crash potential model for estimating safety impacts. <br /><br /> The objectives of this thesis are: 1) to validate a real-time crash prediction model for a candidate section of freeway; 2) to develop a candidate VSLS control algorithm with potential for practical applications; 3) to evaluate the performance of the VSLS control strategy for a range of traffic conditions in terms of safety and travel time; and 4) to test the sensitivity of the VSLS impact results to modifications of the control algorithm. <br /><br /> The analysis of the VSLS impacts under varying levels of traffic congestion indicated that the candidate control strategy was able to provide large safety benefits without a significant travel time penalty, but only for a limited range of traffic conditions. The tested algorithm was found to be insufficiently robust to operate effectively over a wide range of traffic conditions. However, by modifying parameters of the control algorithm, preliminary analysis identified potential improvements in the performance of the VSLS. The modified control strategy resulted in less overall travel time penalty without an adverse impact on the safety benefits. It is anticipated that further modifications to the VSLS control strategy could result in a VSLS that is able to operate over a wide range of traffic conditions and provide more consistent safety and travel time benefits, and it is recommended that the framework used in this study is an effective tool for optimizing the algorithm structure and parameter values.

Overuse of the Interstate and National Highway Systems has led many urban freeways to suffer from recurrent congestion and high crash rates. One method of ameliorating these problems is through the use of Active Traffic Management (ATM). Within ATM, the practice of speed harmonization is well suited to improving safety and reducing delay. In this study, speed harmonization is applied to a segment of Interstate Highway 35, just south of downtown Austin, Texas. First, the need for congestion and safety improvements will be established. Then, the framework of a speed harmonization system will be developed through a synthesis of speed harmonization best practice. Next, the speed harmonization framework will be evaluated for its impact on efficiency through the development of before and after micro-simulation models. Finally, the trajectory files generated from simulation will be analyzed using surrogate safety measures to assess the safety impact of the proposed speed harmonization system. / text

Variable speed limits (VSL) are dynamic traffic management systems designed to increase the efficiency and safety of highways. While the macroscopic performance of VSL systems is well explored in the existing literature, there is a need to further understand the microscopic behavior of vehicles driving in VSL zones. Specifically, driver compliance to advisory VSL systems is quantified based on a driving-simulation experiment and introduced into a broader microscopic behavior model. Statistical analysis indicates that VSL compliance can be predicted based upon several VSL design parameters. The developed two-state microscopic model is calibrated to driving-simulation trajectory data. A calibrated VSL microscopic model can be utilized for new VSL control and macroscopic performance studies, adding an increased dimension of realism to simulation work. As an example, the microscopic model is implemented within VISSIM (overriding the default car-following model) and utilized for a safety-mobility performance assessment of an incident-responsive VSL control algorithm implemented in a MATLAB COM interface. Examination of the multi-objective optimization frontier reveals an inverse relationship between safety and mobility under different control algorithm parameters. Engineers are thus faced with a decision between performing multi-objective optimization and selecting a dominant VSL control objective (e.g. maximizing safety versus mobility performance). / Master of Science / Variable speed limits (VSL) are dynamic traffic management systems designed to increase the efficiency and safety of highways. While the system performance of VSL systems is well explored in previous research, there is a need to further understand the individual behavior of vehicles driving under VSL control. Specifically, driver compliance to advisory VSL systems is modelled based on a driving-simulation experiment. Low compliance equates to poor VSL performance so it is important for engineers to have the ability to predict compliance based on VSL design conditions. The compliance model is introduced into a driver behavior model that quantifies and predicts the driver decision process on VSL controlled highways. The driver behavior model parameters are set using data obtained from the driving-simulation experiment. Utilization of the developed driver behavior model will increase the accuracy of future simulation work on VSL system performance. In this study, the model is implemented within a traffic simulation software to conduct an assessment of the trade-offs between safety and mobility VSL performance for different VSL control designs. An accident is modelled in the simulation software, and VSL is utilized to respond to and alleviate the incident. Simulation results indicate an inverse relationship between safety and mobility performance – indicating that engineers must select a primary objective when selecting VSL control design parameters.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wyoming, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on July 22, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 137-139).

Técnicas como a harmonização da velocidade procuram gerir e controlar o tráfego com base nas condições de tráfego das rodovias em tempo real. A harmonização da velocidade utiliza limites de velocidade variáveis (L.V.V.) para fornecer aos condutores uma velocidade de operação mais apropriada, normalmente inferior ao limite de velocidade estático indicado, em resposta as condições dinâmicas das vias. O L.V.V. tem demonstrado capacidade de melhorar a mobilidade e a segurança nas rodovias. Com isso, modelos de avaliação de risco de colisão em tempo real são frequentemente adotados para quantificar os riscos de ocorrência de colisões em estudos de implantação do L.V.V. Na maioria dos estudos sobre L.V.V., modelos de probabilidade de colisão são adotados apenas para mensurar o desempenho do sistema. Estes algoritmos de controle de L.V.V. não levam em conta o risco de colisões em períodos futuros, e assim não usam impactos do L.V.V. para escolher o plano de controle com relação à segurança. No Brasil, estratégias de harmonização da velocidade não são empregadas. Como as condições de tráfego nas rodovias brasileiras não são homogêneas, e cada faixa de tráfego normalmente possui médias de velocidades, intensidades de fluxo e composições de tráfego diferentes, técnicas como o L.V.V Podem oferecer benefícios ao harmonizar as velocidades entre as faixas e assim retardar o aparecimento de congestionamentos, reduzir o número de ultrapassagens e o risco de colisões. Dessa forma, este trabalho busca avaliar a relação entre as características do tráfego e a probabilidade de ocorrer conflitos entre veículos, para assim desenvolver um modelo matemático capaz de expressar tal relação – usando como estudo de caso um trecho da rodovia BR-290/RS, situada na região metropolitana da cidade de Porto Alegre. Este modelo matemático alimenta um algoritmo L.V.V., empregado em um micro simulador de tráfego, para controlar o tráfego com o objetivo de aumentar a segurança. Resultados indicam que o modelo proposto classificou corretamente 87% dos conflitos efetivamente ocorridos em campo. Os resultados de simulação indicam que o emprego do sistema L.V.V. contribuiu significativamente para a redução da probabilidade de conflitos. Ainda, o L.V.V. aumentou as velocidades médias nos períodos de fluxo elevado, e também reduziu o desvio padrão das velocidades – oferecendo um tráfego mais homogêneo – que contribui para a redução do número de trocas de faixa e, consequentemente, para um aumento da segurança. / Techniques such as speed harmonization seek to manage and control traffic based on road traffic conditions in real time. Speed harmonization uses variable speed limits (VSL) to provide drivers with a more appropriate speed, usually below the stated static speed limit, in response to dynamic road conditions. The VSL has demonstrated its ability to improve mobility and road safety. Thus, real-time collision risk assessment models are often adopted to quantify the risk of collisions occurring in VSL implantation studies. In most VSL studies, collision probability models are utilized only to measure the system performance. These VSL control algorithms do not take into account the risk of collisions in future periods, and thus do not use the VSL impacts to choose the control plan concerning safety. In Brazil, Speed harmonization strategies are not employed yet. As the traffic conditions on Brazilian highways are not homogeneous, and each traffic range usually has different average speeds, flow intensities, and traffic compositions, VSL techniques can offer benefits by harmonizing speeds between lanes, slowing down congestion, reducing the number of overtaking and the risk of collisions.( Continue) Thus, this work seeks to evaluate the relationship between traffic characteristics and the probability of conflicts between vehicles, in order to develop a mathematical model capable of expressing such a relation - using as a case the BR-290/RS freeway, located in the Porto Alegre metropolitan area. This mathematical model will then feed a VSL algorithm, employed in a micro traffic simulator, to control traffic and increase safety. Results indicate that the proposed model correctly classified 87% of the conflicts actually occurred in the field. The simulation results indicate that the VSL contributed significantly to reducing the conflicts likelihood. Even more, the VSL increased the average speeds for high flow periods, and also reduced the standard deviation of speeds - offering a more homogeneous traffic - which contributes for reduction in the number of lane changes and, consequently, to an increase in safety.

Técnicas como a harmonização da velocidade procuram gerir e controlar o tráfego com base nas condições de tráfego das rodovias em tempo real. A harmonização da velocidade utiliza limites de velocidade variáveis (L.V.V.) para fornecer aos condutores uma velocidade de operação mais apropriada, normalmente inferior ao limite de velocidade estático indicado, em resposta as condições dinâmicas das vias. O L.V.V. tem demonstrado capacidade de melhorar a mobilidade e a segurança nas rodovias. Com isso, modelos de avaliação de risco de colisão em tempo real são frequentemente adotados para quantificar os riscos de ocorrência de colisões em estudos de implantação do L.V.V. Na maioria dos estudos sobre L.V.V., modelos de probabilidade de colisão são adotados apenas para mensurar o desempenho do sistema. Estes algoritmos de controle de L.V.V. não levam em conta o risco de colisões em períodos futuros, e assim não usam impactos do L.V.V. para escolher o plano de controle com relação à segurança. No Brasil, estratégias de harmonização da velocidade não são empregadas. Como as condições de tráfego nas rodovias brasileiras não são homogêneas, e cada faixa de tráfego normalmente possui médias de velocidades, intensidades de fluxo e composições de tráfego diferentes, técnicas como o L.V.V Podem oferecer benefícios ao harmonizar as velocidades entre as faixas e assim retardar o aparecimento de congestionamentos, reduzir o número de ultrapassagens e o risco de colisões. Dessa forma, este trabalho busca avaliar a relação entre as características do tráfego e a probabilidade de ocorrer conflitos entre veículos, para assim desenvolver um modelo matemático capaz de expressar tal relação – usando como estudo de caso um trecho da rodovia BR-290/RS, situada na região metropolitana da cidade de Porto Alegre. Este modelo matemático alimenta um algoritmo L.V.V., empregado em um micro simulador de tráfego, para controlar o tráfego com o objetivo de aumentar a segurança. Resultados indicam que o modelo proposto classificou corretamente 87% dos conflitos efetivamente ocorridos em campo. Os resultados de simulação indicam que o emprego do sistema L.V.V. contribuiu significativamente para a redução da probabilidade de conflitos. Ainda, o L.V.V. aumentou as velocidades médias nos períodos de fluxo elevado, e também reduziu o desvio padrão das velocidades – oferecendo um tráfego mais homogêneo – que contribui para a redução do número de trocas de faixa e, consequentemente, para um aumento da segurança. / Techniques such as speed harmonization seek to manage and control traffic based on road traffic conditions in real time. Speed harmonization uses variable speed limits (VSL) to provide drivers with a more appropriate speed, usually below the stated static speed limit, in response to dynamic road conditions. The VSL has demonstrated its ability to improve mobility and road safety. Thus, real-time collision risk assessment models are often adopted to quantify the risk of collisions occurring in VSL implantation studies. In most VSL studies, collision probability models are utilized only to measure the system performance. These VSL control algorithms do not take into account the risk of collisions in future periods, and thus do not use the VSL impacts to choose the control plan concerning safety. In Brazil, Speed harmonization strategies are not employed yet. As the traffic conditions on Brazilian highways are not homogeneous, and each traffic range usually has different average speeds, flow intensities, and traffic compositions, VSL techniques can offer benefits by harmonizing speeds between lanes, slowing down congestion, reducing the number of overtaking and the risk of collisions.( Continue) Thus, this work seeks to evaluate the relationship between traffic characteristics and the probability of conflicts between vehicles, in order to develop a mathematical model capable of expressing such a relation - using as a case the BR-290/RS freeway, located in the Porto Alegre metropolitan area. This mathematical model will then feed a VSL algorithm, employed in a micro traffic simulator, to control traffic and increase safety. Results indicate that the proposed model correctly classified 87% of the conflicts actually occurred in the field. The simulation results indicate that the VSL contributed significantly to reducing the conflicts likelihood. Even more, the VSL increased the average speeds for high flow periods, and also reduced the standard deviation of speeds - offering a more homogeneous traffic - which contributes for reduction in the number of lane changes and, consequently, to an increase in safety.

Técnicas como a harmonização da velocidade procuram gerir e controlar o tráfego com base nas condições de tráfego das rodovias em tempo real. A harmonização da velocidade utiliza limites de velocidade variáveis (L.V.V.) para fornecer aos condutores uma velocidade de operação mais apropriada, normalmente inferior ao limite de velocidade estático indicado, em resposta as condições dinâmicas das vias. O L.V.V. tem demonstrado capacidade de melhorar a mobilidade e a segurança nas rodovias. Com isso, modelos de avaliação de risco de colisão em tempo real são frequentemente adotados para quantificar os riscos de ocorrência de colisões em estudos de implantação do L.V.V. Na maioria dos estudos sobre L.V.V., modelos de probabilidade de colisão são adotados apenas para mensurar o desempenho do sistema. Estes algoritmos de controle de L.V.V. não levam em conta o risco de colisões em períodos futuros, e assim não usam impactos do L.V.V. para escolher o plano de controle com relação à segurança. No Brasil, estratégias de harmonização da velocidade não são empregadas. Como as condições de tráfego nas rodovias brasileiras não são homogêneas, e cada faixa de tráfego normalmente possui médias de velocidades, intensidades de fluxo e composições de tráfego diferentes, técnicas como o L.V.V Podem oferecer benefícios ao harmonizar as velocidades entre as faixas e assim retardar o aparecimento de congestionamentos, reduzir o número de ultrapassagens e o risco de colisões. Dessa forma, este trabalho busca avaliar a relação entre as características do tráfego e a probabilidade de ocorrer conflitos entre veículos, para assim desenvolver um modelo matemático capaz de expressar tal relação – usando como estudo de caso um trecho da rodovia BR-290/RS, situada na região metropolitana da cidade de Porto Alegre. Este modelo matemático alimenta um algoritmo L.V.V., empregado em um micro simulador de tráfego, para controlar o tráfego com o objetivo de aumentar a segurança. Resultados indicam que o modelo proposto classificou corretamente 87% dos conflitos efetivamente ocorridos em campo. Os resultados de simulação indicam que o emprego do sistema L.V.V. contribuiu significativamente para a redução da probabilidade de conflitos. Ainda, o L.V.V. aumentou as velocidades médias nos períodos de fluxo elevado, e também reduziu o desvio padrão das velocidades – oferecendo um tráfego mais homogêneo – que contribui para a redução do número de trocas de faixa e, consequentemente, para um aumento da segurança. / Techniques such as speed harmonization seek to manage and control traffic based on road traffic conditions in real time. Speed harmonization uses variable speed limits (VSL) to provide drivers with a more appropriate speed, usually below the stated static speed limit, in response to dynamic road conditions. The VSL has demonstrated its ability to improve mobility and road safety. Thus, real-time collision risk assessment models are often adopted to quantify the risk of collisions occurring in VSL implantation studies. In most VSL studies, collision probability models are utilized only to measure the system performance. These VSL control algorithms do not take into account the risk of collisions in future periods, and thus do not use the VSL impacts to choose the control plan concerning safety. In Brazil, Speed harmonization strategies are not employed yet. As the traffic conditions on Brazilian highways are not homogeneous, and each traffic range usually has different average speeds, flow intensities, and traffic compositions, VSL techniques can offer benefits by harmonizing speeds between lanes, slowing down congestion, reducing the number of overtaking and the risk of collisions.( Continue) Thus, this work seeks to evaluate the relationship between traffic characteristics and the probability of conflicts between vehicles, in order to develop a mathematical model capable of expressing such a relation - using as a case the BR-290/RS freeway, located in the Porto Alegre metropolitan area. This mathematical model will then feed a VSL algorithm, employed in a micro traffic simulator, to control traffic and increase safety. Results indicate that the proposed model correctly classified 87% of the conflicts actually occurred in the field. The simulation results indicate that the VSL contributed significantly to reducing the conflicts likelihood. Even more, the VSL increased the average speeds for high flow periods, and also reduced the standard deviation of speeds - offering a more homogeneous traffic - which contributes for reduction in the number of lane changes and, consequently, to an increase in safety.

Freeway work zones with lane closures can adversely affect mobility, safety, and sustainability. Capacity drop phenomena near work zone areas can further decrease work zone capacity and exacerbate traffic congestion. To mitigate the negative impacts caused by freeway work zones, many variable speed limits (VSL) control methods have been proposed to proactively regulate the traffic flow. However, a simple yet robust VSL controller that considers the nonlinearity induced by the associated capacity drop is still needed. Also, most existing studies of VSL control neglected the impacts of traffic sensor failures that commonly occur in transportation systems. Large deviations of traffic measurements caused by sensor faults can greatly affect the reliability of VSL controllers. To address the aforementioned challenges, this research proposes a fault-tolerant VSL controller for a freeway work zone with consideration of sensor faults. A traffic flow model was developed to understand and describe the traffic dynamics near work zone areas. Then a VSL controller based on sliding mode control was designed to generate dynamic speed limits in real time using traffic measurements. To achieve VSL control fault tolerance, analytical redundancy was exploited to develop an observer-based method and an interacting multiple model with a pseudo-model set (IMMP) based method for permanent and recurrent sensor faults respectively. The proposed system was evaluated under realistic freeway work zone conditions using the traffic simulator SUMO. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by developing fault-tolerant VSL control for freeway work zones with reliable performance under permanent and recurrent sensor faults. With reliable sensor fault diagnosis, the fault-tolerant VSL controller can consistently reduce travel time, safety risks, emissions, and fuel consumption. Therefore, with a growing number of work zones due to aging road infrastructure and increasing demand, the proposed system offers broader impacts through congestion mitigation and consistent improvements in mobility, safety, and sustainability near work zones. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Freeway work zones can increase congestion with higher travel time, safety risk, emissions and fuel consumption. This research aims to improve traffic conditions near work zones using a variable speed limits control system. By exploiting redundant traffic information, a variable speed limit control system that is insensitive to traffic sensor failures is presented. The proposed system was evaluated under realistic freeway work zone conditions in a simulation environment. The results show that the proposed system can reliably detect sensor failures and consistently provide improvements in mobility, safety and sustainability despite the presence of traffic sensor failures.