The Network Signal Design Problem for Long-Range Travel Forecasting
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 131, Issue 3
Abstract
The network signal design problem (NSDP) seeks the optimal deployment of traffic signals in a growing urban area. This paper is especially concerned with how signals may be optimally deployed over a very long period of time for the purpose of creating realistic networks for travel forecasting. The NSDP is very difficult to solve for long-range problems because of the large number of possible solutions, the high cost of evaluating the merits of just a single solution, and the complexities of how signal delay affects traffic patterns and how traffic patterns affect signal delay. The paper describes the NSDP, introduces a reasonable set of simplifications based on transportation planning and traffic engineering practice, describes experiences with a possible heuristic algorithm for problem solution, and contrasts this method with current planning practice and other research. The long-range algorithm embeds a “strategic” algorithm for finding an optimal deployment for a single time period with constant travel demands. The strategic algorithm draws upon two well-known techniques of combinatorial optimization: a greedy constructive search coupled with a restricted neighborhood search. The strategic algorithm was able to find exact solutions on a small test network with eight stop-controlled intersections. The long-range algorithm is demonstrated on a full-sized planning network with about 380 stop-controlled intersections that could be signalized.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
Chen, M., and Alfa, A. S. (1991). “Network design algorithm using a stochastic incremental traffic assignment approach.” Transp. Sci., 25, 215–224.
Highway capacity manual. (2000). Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C.
Horowitz, A. J. (1989). “Convergence properties of some iterative traffic assignment algorithms.” Transportation Research Record, 1220, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C. 21–27.
Horowitz, A. J. (1991). “Integrated traffic flow and region-wide travel forecasting.” Proc., 61st Annual Meeting of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, Milwaukee.
Horowitz, A. J. (1992). “Implementing travel forecasting with traffic operational strategies.” Transportation Research Record, 1365, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 54–61.
Horowitz, A. J. (1993). “A revised queuing model of delay at all-way stop controlled intersections.” Transportation Research Record, 1398, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 49–53.
Horowitz, A. J. (1997). “Intersection delay in regionwide traffic assignment: Implications of the 1994 update of the highway capacity manual.” Transportation Research Record, 1572, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 1–8.
Horowitz, A. J., and Granato, S. (2000). “Selection of a traffic control strategy for a long-range traffic forecast.” Transportation Research Record, 1706, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 145–151.
Manual on uniform traffic control devices (MUTCD). (2001), Millennium Ed., Federal Highway Administration and Institute of Transportation Engineers, Washington, D.C.
Martin, W., and McGuckin, N. A. (1998). Travel estimation techniques for urban planning. NCHRP Rep. No. 365, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C.
Meneguzzer, C. (1997). “Review of models combining traffic assignment and signal control.” J. Transp. Eng., 123(2), 148–155.
Powell, W. B., and Sheffi, Y. (1982). “The convergence of equilibrium algorithms and predetermined step sizes.” Transp. Sci., 16(1), 45–55.
Richardson, A. J. (1987). “A delay model for multiway stop-sign intersections.” Transportation Research Record, 1112, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 107–112.
Solanki, R. S., Gorti, J. K., and Southworth, F. (1998). “Using decomposition in large-scale highway network design with quasi-optimization heuristic.” Transp. Res., Part B: Methodol., 32, 127–140.
Zanakis, S. H., Evans, J. R., and Vazacopoulos, A. A. (1989). “Heuristic methods and applications: A categorized survey.” Eur. J. Oper. Res., 43, 88–110.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 131 • Issue 3 • March 2005
Pages: 183 - 192
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: May 30, 2002
Accepted: May 17, 2004
Published online: Mar 1, 2005
Published in print: Mar 2005
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.