An Integrated Design for Lane Allocation and Signal Optimization at Signalized Intersections

Abstract

Signal timing and lane allocation are most important settings at signalized intersections to control the operation. Efficiently operated traffic signals and reasonably designed lane markings can reduce congestion and bring about significant payoffs in time and energy benefits. The design of signal timing plan and lane allocation pattern should be complementary to each other; however, existing research works have been concentrated on signal optimization, and few of them considered the impact of lane allocation pattern. This paper proposed an optimization model for the integration design of signal timing plan and lane allocation pattern at signalized intersections. A Genetic Algorithms (GA) model is developed and validated with the Cube transportation software suites. A fully optimized intersection design, including cycle length, phase durations, phase sequence, permitted movements, lane allocations, and shared movements, can be generated according to the assigned traffic flows and geometric properties at the intersection. A set of constrains are set up to guarantee feasibility of the optimal signal timing plan and lane allocation pattern design.