Eco-approach at an isolated actuated signalized intersection: Aware of the passing time window

Abstract

Isolated actuated signalized intersection is a pressing challenge for conventional eco-approach methods, due to the ever-changing signal timing strategy. This research proposes an optimal control based eco-approach method tailored to tackle this challenge. The proposed method bears the following features: i) capable of predicting the ever-changing actuated signal timing; ii) with enhanced fuel efficiency via proactively catching a feasible passing time window; iii) with real-time computation efficiency for implementation. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method enhances fuel efficiency by 9.1%, reduces stop count by 14.8%, and enhances safety performance by 317.14%, compared to conventional human-driven vehicles. The passing time window prediction capability is confirmed with an accuracy of 3.1 s. All the aforementioned benefit is at a cost of a minimal travel time increase of 5.5 s. Moreover, the average computation time of the proposed method is 12 ms, demonstrating its readiness for field implementation.