This　paper　proposes　a　robust　control　approach　for　designing　local　traffic-responsive　ramp　metering　as　the　directed　control　level　in　the　hierarchical　system.　The　control　dynamic　model　is　built　concerning　the　freeway　and　its　on-ramp,　and　the　H∞,　control　algorithm　is　formulated.　Traffic　simulation　results　demonstrate　that　the　H∞　control　compares　favorably　against　the　well-known　linear　quadratic　optimal　control　strategy,　particularly　at　situation　where　the　disturbance　inputs　(the　traffic　demand　and　the　volume　divert)　vary　greatly　or　traffic　conditions　changed.　©　2003　IEEE.