Effects of user adaption on traffic-responsive signal control in agent-based transport simulations

Abstract

All traffic-responsive approaches have in common that they directly influence waiting times of travelers (users) at intersections and, thereby, influence user reaction, e.g. route choice. On the other hand, users route choice directly influences sensor data and, thereby, the signal settings controlled by traffic-responsive signals. Thus, the interference of route choice and traffic-responsive signals constitutes a combined problem. This work focuses on a detailed simulation-based analysis of the effects of route choice on the performance of different traffic-responsive signal algorithms implemented in an inner-city area of a real-world scenario. It Is found that the effects of induced traffic matter a lot, especially for the inner-city area: A significantly higher number of agents travel through the inner city, increasing travel time, delay and noise levels in this area (in comparison to the case without user adaption), whereas overall traveled distances decrease, i.e. more direct routes are used and by-pass routes around the city become less congested. Furthermore, the effects of different levels of saturation on the interaction of route choice and signal control are analyzed.