Real-Time Microscopic Traffic Simulation and Optimization at Intersections with Video Traffic Detection

Abstract

In this paper, real-time vehicular data from video traffic detection (VTD) are used for minimizing the travel delay at intersections and a real-time traffic optimization model, based on the SUMO traffic simulation software, is established accordingly. The proposed model is implemented in a small industrial control computer which serves as the communication interface between the traffic signal control system, the traffic simulation and optimization model and the real-time video traffic detection equipment to optimize the respective signal timing plans. The decision to shorten or extend the respective green time can be made at each second under the current development. To verify the results of the simulation study a field study is undertaken in Hefei, China. The overall intersection performances before and after the signal timing optimization are calculated and compared. The results show that the method proposed in this paper can significantly minimize the vehicle delay and the corresponding air pollution in real time.