Traffic signal control apparatus, traffic signal control method, and computer program

A traffic signal control method for controlling signal light colors at a target intersection and a downstream intersection located on a downstream side of the target intersection, the method comprising:

• acquiring, using a communication interface, a platoon length of platoon vehicles that are traveling on an inflow road located on an upstream side of the target intersection, and a planned traveling route of the platoon vehicles;
• calculating, using a processor connected to an image sensor and the communication interface, an empty space length located on a downstream side of the platoon vehicles in the planned traveling route based on image data received from the image sensor;
• and
• determining, using the processor, whether or not to control the signal light color at the downstream intersection corresponding to the planned traveling route of the platoon vehicles, according to a result of comparison between the platoon length and the empty space length.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer, including a processor connected to an image sensor and a communication interface, to function as a traffic signal control apparatus capable of controlling signal light colors at a target intersection and a downstream intersection located on a downstream side of the target intersection, the computer program causing the computer to:

• acquire, using the communication interface, a platoon length of platoon vehicles that are traveling on an inflow road located on an upstream side of the target intersection, and a planned traveling route located on a downstream side of the platoon vehicles;
• calculate, using the processor, an empty space length located on a downstream side of the platoon vehicles in the planned traveling route based on image data received from the image sensor;
• and
• determine, using the processor, whether or not to control the signal light color at the downstream intersection corresponding to the planned traveling route of the platoon vehicles, according to a result of comparison between the platoon length and the empty space length.