Multiattribute Decision-Making Methods for Optimal Selection of Traffic Signal Control Parameters in Multimodal Analysis

Abstract

The selection of optimal traffic signal timing parameters has traditionally been based on improving traffic operation for motorized vehicles. This approach is rapidly changing. Other modes of transportation, such as pedestrians, bicycles, and transit, are being considered, and multiple attributes are used in the decision-making process. This research explores the use of three well-known methods for multiattribute decision making (MADM) to select optimal traffic signal control parameters in a multimodal scenario. For policy makers MADM methods provide enough flexibility to incorporate a variety of characteristics from different modes of transportation to operate traffic signals, including demands, occupancy of each moving unit, and priority. The methods explored are simple additive weighting, analytical hierarchical process, and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution. These methods are used with three performance measures: delay based on unit, delay based on occupancy, and delay based on occupancy and priority. Traffic signal parameters are optimized by ranking a series of possible solutions. The three methods are demonstrated and compared for a case study intersection at two volume levels; passenger cars, buses, bicycles, and pedestrians are considered.