Traffic Signal Optimization Control Technology Based on the Characteristics of Small and Mid-Sized Cities

Abstract

With the development of the economy and society, with the size of small and mid-sized cities constantly expanding, and the number of vehicles becoming more and more, urban transport is developing rapidly. However, in these cities, the traffic disorder phenomena are ubiquitous, mainly manifested in the overlap and conflict between motor vehicle traffic flow, non-motor-vehicle flow and pedestrian traffic flow. Moreover, the traffic flow of small and mid-sized cities changes very quickly; rush hours are very concentrated, but relatively short-lived. A very large gap exists between the use of roads in the different time periods. The mature traffic signal control system found in big cities is hard to apply in small and mid-sized cities because of these traffic characteristics. This article presents a signal control optimization method based on traffic characteristics of small and mid-sized cities. The key technologies include: (1) the signal control of non-motorized vehicles and of pedestrians in intersections and (2) Multi-objective control of traffic flow. These technologies can solve signal control problems of small and mid-sized cities and improve the operating efficiency in urban traffic.