Work

Dynamic Time-Division Multiplexing Control Method for Emergency Lane Opening on Freeways

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: To address the issue that static strategies, such as frequent closure or fixed-time opening, in emergency lane management on freeways struggle to adapt to dynamic traffic demands, a control method for Dynamic Time-Division Multiplexing of Emergency Lanes (DTMEL) is proposed. Based on real-time changes in the traffic status of social vehicles and emergency vehicles, the method designs a dynamic time slice division strategy to achieve dynamic response in road right allocation and ensure the priority of emergency vehicle. By constructing a dynamic spatial slice model that integrates driver decision-making behavior and different car-truck ratios, it provides a quantitative design basis for lane usage under the heterogeneity of social vehicles. Simulation experimental results show that in different car-truck ratios, the average speed of social vehicles under the DTMEL control method is 8.16–15.02% higher than that under the frequent closure strategy of emergency lanes and 2.15–3.29% higher than that under the fully open strategy control. In addition, compared to the fully opening strategy, the traffic capacity under DTMEL strategy control has increased by about 6.59–8.08%. The proposed method reduced the delay rate of emergency vehicles, verifying its feasibility in improving freeway operation efficiency and ensuring the priority of emergency vehicles.

Source: Applied Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/app16094441

Authors: Linning Zhong, Hongzhao Dong, Pengjun Zheng, Yibing Wang, Yini She

Institutions: Zhejiang University of Technology, Ningbo University, Zhejiang University

Language: English

Topic: Traffic control and management

Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896