Regularities of changes in traffic light cycle parameters in systems with coordinated control

Abstract

This paper analyzes the methodology and research results based on field measurements on an arterial street to determine the main parameters of traffic flows characterized by significant traffic irregularities under coordinated control. Using the simulation modeling method made it possible to optimize the time parameters of traffic light control, which helps minimize traffic delays in both directions by adapting the duration of the permissive signal to traffic flow volumes. Changing (lengthening) the duration of the green signal ensures the continuous movement of groups of vehicles when crossing stop-lines at adjacent traffic signal objects. The proposed method is appropriate for implementation on sections of the road network with coordinated control and significant heterogeneity of traffic flows, as it prevents the breakup of groups and platoons of vehicles with different dynamic characteristics.

This result can be achieved using an automated traffic control system that combines several adjacent traffic signal facilities on arterial streets and operates based on the fixed-time program control of traffic lights. Such a system allows for synchronizing the duration of signals of traffic light groups by correcting the width (duration of the green signal) and angle (speed) of the time lane in the coordination schedules. The scientific novelty of the study is the further development of a method that reduces vehicle delays within the framework of coordinated control, the essence of which is an adjustable change in the range of the duration of the permissive signal in combination with the control of vehicle speed between adjacent traffic lights. The practical value is in the possibility of using different traffic signal control programs on sections of arterial streets in transport areas where there are significant fluctuations in traffic flow volumes in different directions during rush hours.

Keywords: traffic flow, transport research, traffic volume, coordinated traffic control, arterial street, simulation modeling, fixed-time traffic light cycle.