An Integrated Dilemma Zone Protection System Using Connected Vehicle Technology

Abstract

Current practice of dilemma zone protection relies on traditional detection technology such as loop, video, or radar detectors, the performance of which is sensitive to installation and constricted by the limited detection range. This paper proposes and evaluates a dilemma zone protection framework via vehicle-to-infrastructure communications. The proposed framework utilizes the communications data received at roadside equipment for actuated signal operations and dilemma zone protection. To examine the effectiveness of the proposed framework, a simulation test bed was built in VISSIM. Three simulation scenarios were designed to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed framework. Results indicated that, at full market penetration, the proposed framework provided the best dilemma zone protection. Delay on conflicting movements was also reduced significantly compared with the traditional green extension system. Sensitivity analyses on market penetration showed that the performance of dilemma zone protection degraded to that of the green extension system at 40% or lower penetration levels. Higher variation in the waiting period was found for conflicting movements at lower penetration rates. Generally, at 20% penetration rate, the standard deviation doubled from that at the full market penetration.