Model Predictive Traffic Control by Bi-Level Optimization

Abstract

A bi-level model for traffic signal optimization is developed. The model predictive framework is applied for traffic control in an urban traffic network. The potential of the bi-level formalization is used to increase the space of control influences with simultaneous evaluation of the green light and cycle durations. Thus, the increased control space allows more traffic parameters to be considered, such as vehicles queues and traffic flows. A particular modification of the bi-level control is applied for the synchronization of the traffic lights in the network. The model predictive approach is used for the real-time management of the traffic in the network. The control implementations are constrained by the shortest evaluated cycle. Thus, a synchronization of the traffic lights is applied for the minimization of the queues and maximization of the outgoing flows from the network. The bi-level model has been numerically tested on a set of intensive crossroads in Sofia. The numerical simulations prove the superiority of the developed bi-level control in comparison with the classical optimization of queue lengths.