Freeway traffic systems

The efficient management of freeway traffic networks is a very crucial issue in all the developed countries, where advanced technologies and methodologies have been designed and are still under development in order to provide the users with a safe, sustainable, coordinated and smart traffic system. One of the main negative points experienced by travellers in freeways is surely the formation of congestion phenomena, but other related aspects must be taken into consideration, such as pollutant emissions, fuel consumption, safety and noise. This chapter investigates the main issues associated with freeway traffic systems and introduces some key concepts about the possibility of managing and controlling freeways in order to enhance the mobility of people and goods, paying attention to the new developments in information and communication technologies.