Signal control effects on vehicular traffic emissions through a sequence of traffic lights

Abstract

A study of signal control effects on vehicle's emissions through a sequence of traffic lights was conducted. To describe the states of traffic lights, a signal state function was proposed. Meanwhile, a modified car-following model was developed and applied to show the traffic behaviors at signalized intersections on a roadway. The moving behavior of vehicle was discussed in three modes: free running mode, car-following mode and stopping mode. To compute traffic real emissions, Vehicle Specific Power (VSP) model was applied based on the vehicle's behavior. Numerical simulations were carried out to examine the effect of three signal control parameters (cycle, split and offset time). The results show that vehicle's emissions depend highly on the signal's characteristics. The traffic states are also exhibited for various values of signal control parameters. In general, the signal control parameters play an important role on vehicle's emissions.