Simulations of road traffic at light-controlled intersections

Abstract

Light-controlled intersections represent important traffic points within urban road networks. The application of specific traffic control plans within this type of intersections affects not only the traffic capacity of these parts of the network, but also traffic on roads in their immediate or more distant surroundings. For control plans, it is appropriate to assess their various variants in order to subsequently determine the most suitable solution for deployment in real operation. For the needs of examining different traffic control strategies, it is possible to take advantage of road traffic simulations. Detailed simulation-based assessment of specific variants of traffic control (within limited segments of road networks) represents a suitable support for the implementation of efficient and smooth traffic inside of a given part of the real network (or inside of a designed network, the construction of which is planned in the future). The case study presents the examination of road traffic in a smaller city using the simulation tool Aimsun. The investigated system includes one central light-controlled intersection, two smaller intersections and also parts of adjacent roads. The aim of the research is to assess traffic variants that use different traffic control signal plans, especially within the central intersection. Variants are evaluated and appropriate recommendations are formulated.