Urban Arterial Signal Coordination Using Spatial and Temporal Division Methods

Abstract

Traffic signal coordination on urban arterials often requires that timing plans be divided either spatially into clusters of signalized intersections or temporally as time-of-day-based plans. This research proposes a method of dividing timing plans by both spatial and temporal factors simultaneously, in order to provide a dynamic coordinated signal control plan suitable for handling variations in intersection demands and fluctuations in traffic flow. The optimal coordination phase difference of adjacent space coordination subarea is obtained through the method of set operation, so that the spatial subareas can be connected. Similarly, timing plans are dynamically grouped into times of day using the concept of risk decision-making by solving the minimum value of the risk function. Divisions can be further adjusted in real time by changing the conditions, thus resulting in dynamic coordinated signal control. The proposed method was tested in a microscopic simulation of a real-world arterial based on empirical volumes and turning movements. The results showed that the proposed model produced greater reductions in delay and queue length when compared to the methods that subdivide by spatial or temporal thresholds alone. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the proposed method was better suited to imbalances in directional volumes when compared to spatial or temporal division methods alone.