A semi-decentralized control strategy for urban traffic

We present in this article a semi-decentralized approach for urban traffic control, based on the TUC (Traffic responsive Urban Control) strategy. We assume that the control is centralized as in the TUC strategy, but we introduce a contention time window inside the cycle time, where antagonistic stages alternate a priority rule. The priority rule is set by applying green colours for given stages and yellow colours for antagonistic ones, in such a way that the stages with green colour have priority over the ones with yellow colour. The idea of introducing this time window is to reduce the red time inside the cycle, and by that, increase the capacity of the network junctions. In practice, the priority rule could be applied using vehicle-to-vehicle (v2v) or vehicle-to-infrastructure (v2i) communications. The vehicles having the priority pass almost normally through the junction, while the others reduce their speed and yield the way. We propose a model for the dynamics and the control of such a system. The model is still formulated as a linear quadratic problem, for which the feedback control law is calculated off-line, and applied in real time. The model is implemented using the Simulation of Urban MObility (SUMO) tool in a small regular (American-like) network configuration. The results are presented and compared to the classical TUC strategy.Comment: 16 page

SUMO Traffic Simulator Interface for Scenic

SCENIC is a scenario description language for autonomous systems with interfaces for simulators such as Grand Theft Auto V, and CARLA. SUMO traffic simulator is a powerful tool for performing AV simulations with realistic traffic and the opportunity for scene micromanagement through a python interface. Linking SUMO with Scenic, opens many possibilities for AV scenes generation for fast and lightweight SUMO simulations. This paper introduces the first interface between SUMO traffic simulator and Scenic

A simulation to minimize traffic violation in Nigeria through the use of smart spike strip

Traffic light violations always have negative effects on lives and environment and to quantify these negative effects is complex. For traffic light violation to be mitigated or eliminated, gathering of information on traffic incidents such as nature of the road, congestion spots, and volume of traffic on each road cannot be overemphasized. The elimination of traffic light violation particularly in developing countries like Nigeria may not be a realistic goal, but controlling or managing it to reduce the intensity of violation may be achievable. The unbearable traffic congestion is the highest cause of traffic light violation, most especially within the rush hours of the morning when individuals go to work (between 7.00am – 8.00am) and coming back in the evenings (4.00 – 5.00pm and 6.00 – 7.00pm) at most cross roads in Kaduna metropolis. In this research work, an algorithm is developed to control the traffic light violation on one lane of a traffic junction by introducing the smart spike strip which is synchronized with the traffic light control system. The implementation of the algorithm to simulate the control of the traffic light violation on a traffic junction is achieved using Visual Studio 2012 IDE as a platform for the simulation. Screenshots to illustrate the different of the vehicles and lanes which are states static, ready and motion states shown

Will autonomous vehicles make public transport obsolete?

Autonomous vehicles are often discussedas a desirable development in the future of transport with great potential improvements onemissions, congestion and safety. This raises the question whether autonomous vehiclescouldpotentiallymake a centralized public transport obsolete. Thethesis begins by discussing differentopinionsin the current literature regardingthe positive and negative impacts of autonomous vehicles on urban mobility. It continues bydeveloping fourscenarios for the future ofmobility. These are discussed in several expert interviews. In conclusion,public transport will potentially remainanimportant urban mobility mode and autonomous vehicles will supportratherthan replace it