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Day, Christopher M., and D.M. Bullock, “Investigation of Self-Organizing Traffic Signal Control with Graphical Signal Performance Measures,” Transportation Research Record: Journal of Transportation Research Board, No. 2620, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C. pp 69-82, 2017. https://doi.org/10.3141/2620-07

DOI

10.3141/2620-07

Abstract

Adaptive signal control is the subject of an increasing amount of research, as well as development and implementation. Most existing adaptive control systems achieve coordination by applying system control as a constraining layer on top of local control. Some researchers have suggested that, with the right local-control logic, coordination might be achieved as an dynamically emergent phenomenon without the need for a management layer. This paper explores the potential of a self-organizing signal control algorithm using a variety of performance measures. First, the initially reported algorithm performance is reproduced in an idealized environment; next, the algorithm is applied in a realistic road network to compare its performance against actuated-coordinated control, with and without pedestrian phases. Comparisons are made under (1) the same base volumes used to design the actuated-coordinated timing plan; and (2) a variant volume. Self-organizing control is found to be more flexible than coordinated control, and induces a tradeoff in performance among different movement types. Delay reductions of 38–56% are seen in an environment without pedestrian phases. However, with pedestrian phases in recall, self-organizing control performs worse (39% increase in delay) under base volumes, and achieves a weak benefit (6% reduction in delay) under the variant volume. Because of the large total delay reductions in some scenarios, the results show promise for future development.

Keywords

Traffic signals, adaptive control, self-organization, performance measures

Date of this Version

11-15-2016

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