Managing traffic-light-duration by exploiting smart antenna technology (MATSAT)

Traffic light control and coordination is a critical function in today´s busy roadways. Typical traffic lights have been shifting from fixed timing to ones that are based on a variety of sensors. Several shortcomings have been identified when considering these different approaches. In this paper, we propose smart dynamic traffic lights that can adapt their signaling times (e.g., changes from green to red and vice versa) according to the traffic density, exploiting Direction of Arrival and Timing Advance information transmitted from cellphones, carried by the car drivers, to smart antennas installed on cellular base stations. The simulation analysis shows that the proposed system has the potential to reduce the queuing delay by 100% and automobile idling time to 0%. Consequently, such an approach may save average commute time by 59.5%, and reduce in fuel consumption and pollution by 63%.