Study on Coordination Control with Bandwidth Optimization for Signalized Intersections in Arterial Systems

Signal controlled intersection is critical to the urban traffic network, signal timing optimization is important to reduce traffic delays, relieve congestion, and improve the operation of urban traffic network. This study proposed a phase sequence optimization model for coordination control based on NEMA phase. After establishing the experimental network, VISSIM was adopted for testifying the effectiveness of the optimization model under 15 difference groups of scenarios. The simulation results show that the optimized scheme reduces the intersection delay by 2% ~ 29%, also reduces the number of stops by 14% ~ 28% and travel time by 1% ~ 9%, which has greatly improved the operation condition of urban road network. To better understand and further analyze the characteristics of the optimization model and using frequencies of each phasing sequence, the authors developed a computer simulation program to derive optimal solutions for arterial coordination control. Based on simulation result, it was concluded that Leading and Lagging left turn phasing were more likely to be involved in progression bandwidth solution of signal systems with randomly distributed spacing. While Lead-Lag and Lag-Lead phasing found more applications in equally distributed signal systems.