Chapter 12 - Smart traffic light management system for heavy vehicles

Abstract

For efficient development of trade and industry, it is mandatory to have a well-structured and disciplined transport system. Poor quality of transport services leads to road accidents and many other problems that endanger human life and cause air and sound pollution. Traffic congestion is the most prevalent factor in developing countries like India. It wastes time and also causes health hazards, air and noise pollution, and fuel waste. The key is to manage road capacity using the supply-demand equation, appropriate utilization of traffic control strategies, and creation of intelligent and smart transportation systems. An artificial intelligence-based traffic system uses sensor data, communications, and automated algorithms to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in cities. The objective is to control traffic congestion in an optimal manner and optimize the duration of green and red lights at intersections. Rather than using a fixed timer for green and red signals, timing should depend on vehicle density. If traffic is heavy in one direction, the green signal should be on for a longer duration. This should eliminate inefficiencies at intersections and reduce the costs of commuting and pollution. In this chapter, a detailed review of different techniques for designing traffic light management is given; also an intelligent and adaptive traffic light management system is proposed that uses artificial intelligence-based methods for optimizing the synchronization of green signals. Emergency vehicles such as ambulances, firetrucks, and police vans are also considered, to reduce wait times and receive high priority when arriving at an intersection.