IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/chsofr/v199y2025ip1s0960077925006319.html

A control approach for traffic congestion based on multipath propagation model

Author

Listed:
  • Zhong, Xiaojing
  • Liang, Kunkai
  • Deng, Feiqi
  • Zhao, Xueyan

Abstract

The spatiotemporal propagation of urban traffic congestion constitutes a complex system phenomenon involving multi-factor coupling mechanisms, particularly the dynamic interplay between road network structure and navigation information. In this study, we address these complexities by integrating traffic road and social networks to establish a multipath propagation model that describes the coupled propagation process of traffic congestion and information-guided control. In addition, We propose two innovative control frameworks: (1) A model-based architecture employing a stacked ensemble learning algorithm (RLLS: RF-LSBoost-LR Stacked) for data-driven control in known system environments, and (2) A model-free framework utilizing Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) algorithm capable of handling stochastic dynamic propagation control in unknown environments. Finally, Comprehensive simulation experiments based on the real peak-hour traffic flow patterns validate the model’s correctness and the effectiveness of the control scheme. Comparative analysis reveals that the proposed PPO algorithm achieves near-optimal performance (1.69% cost deviation) while significantly enhancing the adaptability of traditional optimal control theory in dynamic scenarios.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhong, Xiaojing & Liang, Kunkai & Deng, Feiqi & Zhao, Xueyan, 2025. "A control approach for traffic congestion based on multipath propagation model," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 199(P1).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chsofr:v:199:y:2025:i:p1:s0960077925006319
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chaos.2025.116618
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960077925006319
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.chaos.2025.116618?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tian, Meng & Dong, Zhengcheng & Wang, Xianpei, 2021. "Reinforcement learning approach for robustness analysis of complex networks with incomplete information," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    2. Zhou, Xueyong & Shi, Xiangyun & Wei, Ming, 2022. "Dynamical behavior and optimal control of a stochastic mathematical model for cholera," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    3. Xu, Liang & Ma, Ru-Ru & Wu, Jie & Rao, Pengchun, 2025. "Proximal policy optimization approach to stabilize the chaotic food web system," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    4. Zhong, Xiaojing & Luo, Chaolong & Zhang, Jing & Liu, Guiyun, 2025. "Higher-order rumor and anti-rumor propagation and data-driven optimal control on hypergraphs," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    5. Chen, Yuting & Mao, Jiannan & Zhang, Zhao & Huang, Hao & Lu, Weike & Yan, Qipeng & Liu, Lan, 2022. "A quasi-contagion process modeling and characteristic analysis for real-world urban traffic network congestion patterns," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 603(C).
    6. Hu, Junjie & Hu, Cheng & Yang, Jiayu & Bai, Jun & Lee, Jaeyoung Jay, 2024. "Do traffic flow states follow Markov properties? A high-order spatiotemporal traffic state reconstruction approach for traffic prediction and imputation," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Chen, Jinqu & Liu, Xiaowei & Zhu, Shaochuan & Li, Yong & Du, Bo & Yin, Yong, 2026. "Resilience assessment of an integrated bus-rail network considering dynamic congestion propagation process under traffic congestion events," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 266(PA).
    2. Hu, Junjie & Lee, Jaeyoung Jay, 2025. "Car following dynamics in mixed traffic flow of autonomous and human-driven vehicles: Complex networks approach," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 665(C).
    3. Yu, Ting & Gao, Liang & Zhang, Chaoyang & Chang, Shixin & Han, Xiao & Si, Bingfeng & Mendes, Jose F.F., 2025. "Revealing consistent patterns and intrinsic mechanisms of subway systems via relative influence," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    4. Xian, Jiajun & Ye, Yixuan & Zhang, Wei & Chen, Zishen & Huang, Jiaqiang & Lin, Zichun & Zhou, Can & LIU, Hao & Yang, Dan & Meng, Nan & Liu, Ming & Zhou, Teng, 2025. "MDHGFN: Multiscale Dual Hypergraph Fusion Spatiotemporal Network for traffic flow prediction," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 201(P2).
    5. Mandal, Sayan & Samanta, Sudip & Tiwari, Pankaj Kumar & Upadhyay, Ranjit Kumar, 2025. "Bifurcation analysis and exploration of noise-induced transitions of a food chain model with Allee effect," Mathematics and Computers in Simulation (MATCOM), Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 313-338.
    6. Wang, Ting & Ngoduy, Dong & Li, Ye & Lyu, Hao & Zou, Guojian & Dantsuji, Takao, 2024. "Koopman theory meets graph convolutional network: Learning the complex dynamics of non-stationary highway traffic flow for spatiotemporal prediction," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    7. Yin, Rongrong & Wang, Yumeng & Li, Linhui & Zhang, Le & Hao, Zhenyang & Lang, Chun, 2024. "A mobile node path optimization approach based on Q-learning to defend against cascading failures on static-mobile networks," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    8. Tu, Haicheng & Gu, Fengqiang & Zhang, Xi & Xia, Yongxiang, 2023. "Robustness analysis of power system under sequential attacks with incomplete information," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).
    9. Xueyong Zhou, 2022. "Dynamical Analysis of a Stochastic Cholera Epidemic Model," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(16), pages 1-19, August.
    10. Mukhtar, Roshana & Chang, Chuan-Yu & Raja, Muhammad Asif Zahoor & Chaudhary, Naveed Ishtiaq & Shu, Chi-Min, 2024. "Novel nonlinear fractional order Parkinson's disease model for brain electrical activity rhythms: Intelligent adaptive Bayesian networks," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    11. Khatun, Mst Sebi & Mahato, Kiriti Bhusan & Das, Pritha, 2024. "Dynamics of an SuSaV IR epidemic model with stochastic optimal control and awareness programs," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    12. Mazare, Mahmood, 2024. "Adaptive optimal secure wind power generation control for variable speed wind turbine systems via reinforcement learning," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 353(PA).
    13. Lin, Xuhui & Chen, Long & Lu, Qiuchen & Zhao, Pengjun & Cheng, Tao, 2026. "Revealing higher-order interactions through multimodal irreversibility in flood-affected transportation networks," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 266(PA).
    14. Wandelt, Sebastian & Chen, Xinyue & Sun, Xiaoqian, 2025. "Recent advances in network dismantling: A comprehensive review and list of recommendations for future work," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 199(P2).
    15. Zhong, Xiaojing & Luo, Chaolong & Zhang, Jing & Liu, Guiyun, 2025. "Higher-order rumor and anti-rumor propagation and data-driven optimal control on hypergraphs," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    16. Zhao, Miao & Xi, Jianxiang & Wang, Le & Wang, Cheng & Zheng, Yuanshi, 2025. "Fully distributed self-triggered secure consensus for nonlinear multiagent systems with sequential communication link scaling attacks," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 490(C).
    17. Jing, Ying & Wang, Youguo & Zhai, Qiqing & Chen, Wei, 2025. "Late-stage reversal of negative information diffusion driven by memory accumulation under low infection on simplicial complexes," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 200(P3).
    18. Zhao, Yanwei & Wang, Huanqing & Xu, Ning & Zong, Guangdeng & Zhao, Xudong, 2023. "Reinforcement learning-based decentralized fault tolerant control for constrained interconnected nonlinear systems," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    19. Shenxing Li & Wenhe Li, 2024. "Dynamical Behaviors of a Stochastic Susceptible-Infected-Treated-Recovered-Susceptible Cholera Model with Ornstein-Uhlenbeck Process," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-20, July.
    20. Huang, He & Xu, Jiawei & Wang, Jing & Chen, Xiangyong, 2024. "Reinforcement learning-based secure synchronization for two-time-scale complex dynamical networks with malicious attacks," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 479(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:chsofr:v:199:y:2025:i:p1:s0960077925006319. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Thayer, Thomas R. (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/chaos-solitons-and-fractals .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.