A model predictive emission controller based on the heterogeneity aware emission macroscopic fundamental diagram

Air pollution is a pressing concern with profound implications for human health and the environment. Given the outsized contribution of the transportation sector to emission generation and the compounding effect on traffic congestion, it is urgent to formulate effective emission control strategies to mitigate vehicular emissions. This paper introduces a novel solution integrating model predictive control (MPC) and the Emission Macroscopic Fundamental Diagram (eMFD) to solve the challenge. The research demonstrates that the eMFD controller mitigates emissions without compromising mobility in city-level road networks. The system benefits are even more significant in congested scenarios where network outflow diminishes as congestion increases. Comparative analyses highlight the eMFD controller’s superiority over benchmark mobility MPC, greedy controller (GC), and the no-control scenario. The results underscore the viability of the eMFD MPC system as an instrumental tool in reducing emissions of city-level networks with low computational costs. By balancing emission reduction and mobility maintenance, the proposed system holds promise to realize a more sustainable urban environment. The outcomes presented in this paper can contribute to designing perimeter control strategies aligned with environmental goals without compromising network mobility.