Abstract:
In this study, we address the current situation at signalized intersections where the vehicle stream arrival rate fluctuates and is unsaturated, such that optimal green-time phases cannot be achieved using pre-timed or fixed-phase sensing signal controls. To improve signal control for fluctuating vehicle streams, we propose minimizing the lost green-time of the cycle and improving intersections capacity by the dynamic combination control of vehicle streams at the intersection. Based on the vehicle-stream characteristics and a logic function, we can determine a feasible control-phase combination, in which the logic value of the traffic flow is ensured by an intersection real-time dissipation model. By logically combining the principles of the size of the Boolean value and the minimal loss of green phases, we achieve a dynamic logical combination of vehicle stream control using real-time dissipation at signalized intersections. The analysis results in our example show that since vehicle-stream arrivals at the intersection change significantly with time, our proposed real-time dynamic signal control can be programmed for more flexible control and more realistic movement schemes that respond to fluctuations in the vehicle stream. Thus, this strategy yields improvements in the time and space utilization at intersections that have fluctuating vehicle arrival rates, while also having fewer delays than pre-timed cycles or fixed-phase sensing controls.