Speed limits in traffic emission models using multi-objective optimization

TL;DR

This paper presents a multi-objective optimization framework for traffic speed limits to reduce air pollution emissions while maintaining traffic flow efficiency, demonstrating its potential as a tool for balancing ecological and economic goals.

Contribution

It introduces a novel traffic emission modeling framework combined with multi-objective optimization to effectively balance pollution reduction and traffic flow.

Findings

Multi-objective optimization finds optimal trade-offs between emissions and traffic flow.

The framework effectively simulates traffic dynamics and pollutant spread.

Results suggest potential for policy implementation to reduce air pollution.

Abstract

Climate change compels a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, yet vehicular traffic still contributes significantly to the emission of air pollutants. Hence, in this paper we focus on the optimization of traffic flow while simultaneously minimizing air pollution using speed limits as controllable parameters. We introduce a framework of traffic emission models to simulate the traffic dynamic as well as the production and spread of air pollutants. We formulate a multi-objective optimization problem for the optimization of multiple aspects of vehicular traffic. The results show that multi-objective optimization can be a valuable tool in traffic emission modeling as it allows to find optimal compromises between ecological and economic objectives.