SWUTC Ph.D. Candidate Assistantship Project Description
Arterial Signal Coordination with Multi-class Macroscopic Modeling and Dedicated Short Range Communications
University: Texas A&M University
Principal Investigator:
Kamonthep Tiaprasert
Zachry Department of Civil Engineering
(979) 458-4742
Faculty Supervisor:
Yunlong Zhang
Zachry Department of Civil Engineering
(979) 845-9902
Funding Source: USDOT Funds
Total Project Cost: $26,131
Project Number: 600451-00038
Date Started: 9/1/13
Estimated Completion Date: 12/31/14
Project Summary
Project Abstract:
Connected Vehicle technology with dedicated short range communication (DSRC) can provide traffic information in spatial domain that conventional fixed-point detectors cannot provide. However, because of market penetration with this new data source, new measures to obtain other traffic parameters and new methodology to use this new data for better signal control are needed. For a heterogeneous traffic flow, multiclass cell transmission (M-CTM) is reformulated to optimize signal timing control. The original M-CTM is in scalar equations. It is reformulated to closed-form matrix equations. The new M-CTM gains a faster computational time without compromising the accuracy. It is also easier to implement, making it promising to be applied to signal optimization. We expect that M-CTM should work well in modeling traffic flow with signal coordination along an arterial where the platoon dispersion effect is significant and has to be accounted for in order to achieve accurate modeling results. Single-class cell transmission model (S-CTM) has been used in modeling signalized intersection control in various works. M-CTM, as a generalization of S-CTM, is expected to work better. A superior performance of M-CTM over single-class cell transmission model to capture platoon dispersion in improving signal control along a signalized arterial is expected.
Project Objectives:
This research will focus on developing new signal control strategies with DSRC technology as a primary data source. M-CTM is first developed to closed-form matrix equations. Then the obtained M-CTM will be implemented in cases there are heterogeneous traffic to improve accuracy of traffic modeling. The M-CTM modeling of the traffic flow under different offset scenarios will be evaluated and optimization of offsets will be conducted to achieve improved signal coordination. Finally, the benefits and limitations of the signal control optimization based on M-CTM and DSRC will be investigated and compared with traditional optimization methods with conventional data inputs.
Task Descriptions:
Task 1– Literature Review
Task 2– Develop Algorithm
Task 3– Data Collection for Case Study
Task 4– Simulation Evaluation
Task 5 – Prepare Final Report