Project Title: Evaluation of advanced traffic signal controllers

Principal Investigator. Dr. B. Brian Park, University of Virginia, 434-924-6347, bpark@virginia.edu

External contact. Cathy McGhee, Virginia Transportation Research Council, 434-293-1973, Cathy.McGhee@VDOT.Virginia.gov

Project Objective. Evaluate features of advanced traffic signal controllers using hardware in the loop simulation and develop practical guidelines for adopting/using advanced controllers.

Project Abstract. Modern traffic controllers are equipped with many advanced features. One example is built-in logic that allow such capabilities as traffic responsive control, preemptions, and control based on lane-by-lane traffic monitoring. Even though traffic engineers would like to evaluate such advanced features, there are few tools available. This is because existing microscopic simulation programs have not kept with the advances in the traffic controller technology. Hardware-in-the-loop simulation, which consists of microscopic simulation in conjunction with an actual traffic controller, allows traffic engineers to evaluate the performance of advanced traffic signal controller features. Using this technique, this project will evaluate advanced features available in modern traffic controllers, analyzing the effectiveness of such features under varying traffic and geometric conditions.

Tasks.
(1) Conduct literature review, (2) Compose lists of advanced features available in modern traffic controllers (3) Conduct experimental design on traffic volumes and geometric conditions (4) Develop microscopic simulation models for conditions defined under Task 3, (5) Conduct hardware in the loop simulation-based evaluation, (6) Analyze the results and compose final report

Milestones. Completion of whole project by June 30, 2007

Student involvement. One GRA

Budget.
FY 06
Faculty $20,000
GRA        30,000
FY 07
Faculty $20,000
GRA        30,000
               100,000

Relationship to other research projects. This is an independent research project, with no overlap with other research.

Technology transfer. Papers in professional journals.

Potential benefits. Improved capacity to use advanced signal controllers in an effective fashion.

TRB keywords. Advanced traffic signal controllers, microscopic simulation, hardware in-the-loop simulation.