Multimodal Intelligent Traffic Signal System Simulation Model Development and Assessment

Abstract

The study demonstrated the multimodal intelligent traffic signal system (MMITSS) simulation tool to assess the potential effects of a broader MMITSS deployment that would ultimately facilitate the site-independent analysis of MMITSS applications. The study also identified the most beneficial operational conditions for each MMITSS operational scenario by considering a combination of simulation variables and traffic demand levels. The MMITSS simulation platform consists of the Vissim microscopic traffic simulation software, the basic safety message distributor program, an Econolite ASC/3 traffic controller emulator that runs on a Windows platform, and a roadside equipment module that runs on a Linux platform. The study demonstrated that the intelligent traffic signal system reduced vehicle delay by up to 35% and increased average traffic stream speed by up to 27%. In addition, transit signal priority (TSP) reduced travel time for both transit and passenger vehicles on the corridor by up to 29% and 28%, respectively. However, TSP can increase systemwide delay because it reduces green times on the side streets. Freight signal priority (FSP) can be used effectively along major freight routes. Although FSP significantly reduced truck delay, networkwide delay was increased substantially, especially in the scenario with a large percentage of trucks in the traffic composition. The TSP and FSP bundle simulation study demonstrated that the bundle operation successfully executed a hierarchical level of priority and provided higher priority for trucks. MMITSS applications effectively improve vehicle travel time and delay for equipped and potentially nonequipped vehicles, depending on the scenarios considered. Typically, systemwide disbenefits are observed when TSP, FSP, or both are applied.