Signal Control in Mixed Traffic based on Bus Probe Vehicles: Concept and Application

Abstract

This paper presents an approach and a case study to traffic responsive signal control in mixed traffic conditions. Inductive loop detectors are not likely to be a feasible option in many fast growing cities of developing countries due to heterogeneous, often very congested traffic conditions with no lane discipline. Therefore, the approach used in this paper is based on identifying traffic conditions through bus travel time information obtained through direct vehicle to infrastructure communication. The approach is embedded in the MOSCUE framework (multi-objective signal control in urban areas) which allows the decision maker flexible adjustments of the signal controller to possibly changing policy objectives. The feasibility of the concept is illustrated with a case study from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is shown that even if only buses transmit travel time data the controller can achieve some improvements in overall traffic performance.