Reducing Vehicular Traffic Congestion Using Available Forward Road Capacity Detection

Road congestion is a complex, significant and continuing problem. This project is concerned with urban road systems and traffic light control. The objective is to create a novel traffic controller which uses available forward road capacity (AFRC) detection and locality awareness in conjunction with existing backpressure methods as a means to reduce the duration of congestion. The controller is an ongoing development, the initial version considers only local AFRC but is being actively developed to communicate to multiple downstream controllers and to upstream traffic guidance. Enhanced downstream communication will automatically identify a junction where congestion starts and actively postpone the onset, automatically identify congested region exits and actively resolve the congestion in a shorter time. The controller measures the degree of congestion and is capable of providing information to reduce the influx of traffic into an already congested region. The effectiveness of the controller is shown through simulation using commercial traffic simulation software tools. Initial results are very promising, delays have been reduced to less than 15% of comparative timed and VA systems, the performance improvement increases as the road becomes more congested. Consequences of reducing overall congestion duration include increased fuel efficiency, reduced fuel waste and a reduction in the negative effects on environment and health. The benefits of the system are equally applicable to all powered transport systems regardless of fuel source or control method including autonomous vehicles and vehicles equipped with v2x communication.