Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Investigating Operational Benefits of Group-based Signal Control in Japan Through a Stochastic Approach

  • Published:
International Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study intends to investigate operational performance of the group-based signal control approach (GA) in Japan. A cycle-based stochastic approach incorporating the HCM 2000 delay model and Monte Carlo simulation was proposed. To facilitate its application, extensive field data was collected at 11 typical intersections in Germany and Japan to understand the variability of input variables and their correlations. A series of case studies were eventually conducted to investigate the applicability of GA under various conditions, i.e., degree of saturation (DS), split ratio (SR), and the coefficient of variation (COV) of traffic demand. Conclusions supported that the operational performance of GA deteriorated with increasing SR and decreasing DS. GA is apparently advantageous for SRs less than 0.8, COVs less than 0.2, and optimum cycle lengths greater than 90 s.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

References

  1. Wong, C.K., Wong, S.C., Tong, C.O.: Optimization methods for off-line traffic signal settings: recent advances and prospective future research. J. Transp. Syst. Eng. Inf. Technol. 5, 36–54 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bell Michael, G.H., Brookes, D.: Discrete time-adaptive traffic signal control: the calculation of expected delays and stops. Transp. Res. C 1C, 43–55 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Heydecker, B.G.: A decomposition approach for signal optimisation in road networks. Transp. Res. B 30, 99–114 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Wong, S.C., Wong, W.T., Leung, C.M., Tong, C.O.: Group-based optimization of a time-dependent TRANSYT traffic model for area traffic control. Transp. Res. B 36, 291–312 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Suzuki, K., Nakamura, H., Yamaguchi, S.: Analysis on drivers’ and pedestrians’ perception for the evaluation of cycle length at under-saturated signalized intersections. Proceedings of the 10th World Conference on Transport Research, Istanbul (2004)

  6. Tang, K., Nakamura, H.: Impacts of group-based signal control policy on driver behavior and intersection safety. J. Int. Assoc. Traffic Saf. Sci. 32, 81–94 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Tang, K., Nakamura, H.: Safety evaluation for intergreen intervals at signalized intersections based on a probabilistic method. Transp. Res. Rec. 2128, 226–235 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Dion, F., Rakha, H., Kang, Y.: Comparison of delay estimates at under-saturated and over-saturated pre-timed signalized intersections. Transp. Res. B 38, 99–122 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Transportation Research Board, “Highway Capacity Manual 2000. National Research Council, Washington, DC (2000)

  10. Akcelik, R.: Traffic Signals: Capacity and Timing Analysis. Australian Road Research Board, Melbourne (1998). Seventh reprint

    Google Scholar 

  11. Tarko, A., Songchitruksa, P.: Reporting uncertainty in the highway capacity manual-survey results. Proceedings of the 84th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., (2003)

  12. Tang, K., Nakamura, H.: An analysis on saturation flow rate and its variability. Proceedings of the 11th World Conference on Transport Research, Berkeley (2007)

  13. Ji, X., Prevedouros, P.D.: Probabilistic analysis of highway capacity manual models: case study of a signalized intersection. Transp. Res. Rec. 2027, 58–64 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Viti, F., van Zuylen, H.J.: A probabilistic model for traffic at actuated control signals. Transp. Res. C 18, 299–310 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Park, B., Kamarajugadda, A.: Estimating confidence interval for highway manual delay equation at signalized intersections. Proceedings of the 84th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., (2003)

  16. Tarko, A., Tian, Z.: Example analysis and handling of uncertainty in HCM with consideration of traffic diversion. Transp. Res. Rec. 1852, 40–46 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Luttinen, R.T.: Uncertainty in operational analysis of two-lane highways. Transp. Res. Rec. 1802, 105–114 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Khatib, Z., Kyte, M.: Framework to uncertainty in projecting the level of service of signalized and unsignalized intersections. Transportation Research Circular. E-C018. 348-356 (2000)

  19. Ji, X., Prevedouros, P.D.: Comparison of methods for sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of signalized intersections analyzed with HCM 2000. Transp. Res. Rec. 1920, 56–64 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Ji, X., Prevedouros, P.D.: Probabilistic analysis of Highway Capacity Manual delay for signalized intersections. Transp. Res. Rec. 1988, 67-75 (2005)

  21. Brilon, W., Geistefeldt, J., Zurlinden, H.: Implementing the concept of reliability for highway capacity analysis. Transp. Res. Rec. 2027, 1–8 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to convey their sincere thanks to Prof. Manfred Boltze of Darmstadt University of Technology and Dr. Axel Wolfermann of Nagoya University, for their great support in data collection and valuable comments on this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Traffic Engineering, Tongji University, No. 4800, Cao’an Road, Shanghai, 201804, China

    Keshuang Tang

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464–8603, Japan

    Hideki Nakamura

Authors
  1. Keshuang Tang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hideki Nakamura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Keshuang Tang or Hideki Nakamura.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tang, K., Nakamura, H. Investigating Operational Benefits of Group-based Signal Control in Japan Through a Stochastic Approach. Int. J. ITS Res. 9, 71–81 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13177-011-0028-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13177-011-0028-y

Keywords