Heuristic Algorithm for Priority Traffic Signal Control

A heuristic algorithm is presented for traffic signal control with simultaneous multiple priority requests at isolated intersections in the context of vehicle-to-infrastructure communications being available on priority vehicles, such as emergency vehicles and transit buses. This heuristic algorithm can achieve near-optimal signal timing when all simultaneous requests are considered and can be visualized in a phase–time diagram. First, the problem with the control of multiple priority traffic signals is transformed into a network cut problem that is polynomial solvable under some reasonable assumptions. Second, a phase–time diagram is presented to visualize and evaluate priority delay given a signal plan and a collection of priority request arrival times. Microscopic traffic simulation is used to compare the heuristic with the state-of-the-practice algorithms for transit signal priority. The proposed heuristic algorithm could reduce average bus delay in congested conditions by about 50%, especially with a high frequency of conflicting priority requests.