US 6,587,778 B2 · Generalized adaptive signal control method and system

Abstract

The invention relates to a rule-based method for effective distributed adaptive signal control of traffic networks, and an apparatus using the method. Queue estimates and sets of rules are used to determine the signal state at each intersection in the network. The queue estimation uses real-time data from detectors upstream from an intersection to estimate the number of vehicles approaching the intersection and the vehicles in queue. Each detected vehicle is treated as a group of “partial” vehicles corresponding to approved movements that the vehicle might make. The queue estimation and control logic that determine the signal state can be implemented as a distributed system. The signal control logic consists of a set of rules for uncongested control and a process that creates a fixed time plan for congested control.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method of controlling traffic at an intersection, comprising:

detecting traffic status;
estimating queue information based on the detected traffic status;
and
determining a movement of a vehicle in the intersection by evaluating rules using the estimated queue information;
and
controlling a state of a traffic signal to effect the movement;
wherein the rules include demand rules based on the estimated queue information and a number of vehicles that can exit the queue during said state of the signal;
progression rules based on traffic movements at an adjacent intersection;
and urgency rules based on an amount of time a vehicles waits to move in the intersection.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

09/737,811Filed 18 Dec 2000 · us provisional application

Priority

17 Dec 1999

Published

US 2002/0116118 A122 Aug 2002

Granted

1 Jul 2003

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G08G 1/082
Plural intersections under common control: controlling the time between beginning of the same phase of a cycle at adjacent intersections
G08G 1/01
Traffic control systems for road vehicles: detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
G08G 1/08
Controlling traffic signals: according to detected number or speed of vehicles
G08G 1/083
Plural intersections under common control: controlling the allocation of time between phases of a cycle

Generalized adaptive signal control method and system

Life of this patent

Generalized adaptive signal control method and system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15