Improving the Capacity of Signalized Intersection Using Smart Traffic Control Systems Supported by Innovative Beam Sensors

Abstract

The number of vehicles in the streets has been going up every year, which is the main reason leading to traffic congestions. A way to deal with the problem might be the development of an effective system, that would manage the flow of transport vehicles stream through nodes with traffic lights in congested urban networks. The proposed solution - application of innovative beam sensors - is based on the use of specific light phases periods in traffic light cycles, in a more effective way (effectively reduce the period in which no vehicle is present at the nodes). Its essence is to improve nodes capacity in congested metropolitan areas but also on major roads outside the metropolitan area with high traffic. Any traffic control system supported with the beam sensors would be able to clearly identify if a vehicle has left the node. This way of displaying the green signal for the next phase in a light cycle would be accelerated, while maintaining a very high level of safety. The green period for the phase in which the vehicle was present and the red period for any other traffic lights would be reduced. Thus, the main objective of beam sensors implementation is to reduce the traffic congestions and generally improve the traffic flow, which are certainly main advantages of such solution. They could also contribute to reduction in a vehicle operating costs (related to stop-and-go driving), lower emissions of harmful substances to the atmosphere and finally, to reduced traffic noise.