Cell transmission model based traffic signal timing in oversaturated conditions

Abstract

In order to investigate enhancements to cell transmission model (CTM) as a tool for traffic signal timing in oversaturated conditions, randomly distributed saturation flow rates and arrival rates were used instead of constant values to simulate traffic flow movement, estimate the average delay of the network and search for an optimal traffic signal timing plan. A case study was given to demonstrate that the proposed methodology can capture unique phenomena in oversaturated conditions such as forward wave, spillback and lane entrance blockage. The results show that CTM underestimates travel time by 25% when compared to Simtraffic, while the enhanced CTM underestimates by only 3%. A second case study shows that a dynamic signal timing plan is superior to a fixed signal timing plan in the term of average delay.

Keywords

oversaturated flow / conditional cell transmission model / traffic signal timing / spillback / blockage

References

[1] ChowA H F, LoH K. Sensitivity analysis of signal control with physical queuing delay derivatives and an application [J]. Transportation Research: Part B, 2007, 41B(4): 462-477

[2] ShinyaK, NopadonK, MasanobuK. The length of turn lanes on intersection approaches: The case of three-branch fork lanes [C]. Transportation Research Board 89th Annual Meeting, 2007Washington D CNational Research Council92-101

[3] LaoY-tengPrediction of congestions in signal intersections [D], 2008ShanghaiTongji University

[4] YangX-g, ZhaoJ, ZengY, YuX-fei. Impact of short lanes on capacity in signal intersections [J]. Journal of Highway and Transportation Research and Development, 2008, 25(12): 151-156

[5] TangT-q, LiC-y, HuangH-j, ShangH-yan. Macro modeling and analysis of traffic flow with road width [J]. Journal of Central South University of Technology, 2011, 18(5): 1757-1764

[6] ShiF, ZhouW-l, LiuF-f, DengL-bo. Two-lane roundabout traffic flow characteristics based on cellular automaton [J]. Journal of Central South University: Science and Technology, 2010, 41(4): 1616-1622

[7] HuX-j, ShenH, WangWei. Forecast of traffic demands based on enhanced CTM [J]. Journal of Highway and Transportation Research and Development, 2009, 26(S1): 49-52

[8] ChenX-q, YangX-m, LiL, ShiQ-xin. Anticipative and adaptive extension of cell transmissiont model based on intelligent transportation system information [J]. Control Theory and Applications, 2010, 27(12): 1591-1596

[9] Abu-LebdehG, BenekohallR F. Genetic algorithms for traffic signal control and queue management of oversaturated two way arterials [J]. Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2000, 1727: 61-67

[10] LiebermanE B, ChangJ, PrassasE S. Formulation of real time control policy for oversaturated arterials [J]. Journal of the Transportation Research, 2000, 1727: 77-88

[11] LoH K. A cell based traffic control formulation: Strategies and benefits of dynamic timing plans [J]. Transportation Science, 2001, 35(2): 148-164

[12] ParkB, MesserC J, UrbanikTII. Enhanced genetic algorithm for signal timing optimization of oversaturated intersections [J]. Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2000, 1727: 32-41

[13] GiriannaM, BenekohalR F. Dynamic signal coordination for networks with oversaturated intersections [J]. Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2002, 1811: 122-130

[14] AlecsandruC, IshakS. Accounting for random driving behavior and nonlinearity of backward wave speeds in the cell transmission model [C]. Transportation Research Board 89th Annual Meeting, 2007Washington D CNational Research Council

[15] LoH K. A novel traffic signal control formulation [J]. Transportation Research: Part A, 1999, 33(4): 433-448

[16] LoH K. Dynamic network traffic control [J]. Transportation Research: Part A, 2001, 35: 721-744

[17] SherifI, AlecsandruC, SeedahD. Improvement and evaluation of cell transmission model for operation analysis of traffic networks: Freeway case study [J]. Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1965171-182

[18] WangP, JonesL S, YangQun. A Novel conditional cell transmission model for oversaturated arterials [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2012, 19(5): 1466-1474