Density-Based Smart Traffic Light Control System for Emergency Vehicles

Abstract

Traffic congestion has become a major problem in the cities where the population and the number of vehicles are continuously increasing. To ensure the safety of people, traffic light systems are incorporated at all necessary intersections of roads. Most of the traffic control systems used are now working based on fixed time for vehicular movement. So, a smart traffic control system is built which changes the waiting time of the vehicles based on situations, conditions, and priorities. Smart traffic system considers the vehicular density and special conditions such as the presence of an emergency vehicle at any of the roads and increases the waiting or clearance time accordingly. The system works such that, more the density of traffic at any side of the road, the longer would be the clearance time of that road with an increase in the duration of green light so as to allow more vehicles to pass through and hence reduce the traffic density. This avoids traffic congestion, wastage of time, and makes the system more efficient. A priority is given to the passage of emergency vehicles to prevent delays due to traffic congestion. So, the system is built such that during the presence of an emergency vehicle, the traffic light remains green till the emergency vehicle passes the signal and then returns to normal working. The system also considers the prevention of accidents and safety of the pedestrians during the night, when the traffic signals have only Amber lights, by use of sensors to detect any presence. The traffic lights along with alarms are used to indicate such presence. The system is built using Proteus software as a simulation tool for single-way and four ways traffic signals. Thus, the proposed work aims for a better and efficient traffic control system.