An emergency traffic light strategy to prevent traffic congestion

Abstract

This work designs an emergency traffic light strategy at signalized traffic intersections in order to prevent traffic congestion. Some additional warning lights are used. The emergency strategy is realized by the cooperation of traffic lights and warning lights. It contains a ban signal strategy, and a warning signal strategy. A two-way rectangular grid network is modeled via the cell transmission model. The effectiveness of the proposed strategy is evaluated through simulations in the modeled grid network. Simulation results identify the influence of rout-changing behaviors of drivers, the time when to operate the emergency strategy, and the inflow of the traffic network. They can be used to improve the state of the art in preventing urban road traffic congestion caused by incidents.