Analysis of car-following behaviors considering the green signal countdown device

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impacts of the green signal countdown device on car-following behaviors at signalized intersections and to propose an improved car-following model to explore how the green signal countdown device affects the arrival traffic flow during the critical phase-change period. The synchronous field data of car-following behaviors and the remaining time displayed by the green signal countdown device at a signalized intersection of Jinan in China are collected from obtained traffic videos for data mining analysis. Velocities and displacements of 11 cars and critical cars charging on homogeneous approaches to the signalized intersection at the end of the green signal are investigated in detail. The numerical results indicate that the improved car-following model can qualitatively describe the impacts of the green signal countdown device on car-following behaviors of the arrival traffic flow. It is also shown that taking the green signal countdown device into account in the simulation modeling and adaptive cruise control system design can help drivers make informed stopping/crossing decisions, reduce the number of cars ejecting to cross the signalized intersection and enhance traffic safety.