A Signal Timing Plan Formulation for Urban Traffic Control

This paper addresses urban traffic control using an optimization model for signalized areas. The paper modifies and extends a discrete time model for urban traffic networks proposed in the related literature to take into account some real aspects of traffic. The model is embedded in a real time controller that solves an optimization problem from the knowledge of some measurable inputs. Hence, the controller determines the signal timing plan on the basis of technical, physical, and operational constraints. The actuated control strategy is applied to a case study with severe traffic congestion, showing the effectiveness of the technique. Keywords—Urban traffic control, urban traffic model, discrete time systems, timing plan formulation, optimization.