Mitigating traffic congestion at road junction using fuzzy logic

Abstract

The timing of traffic lights at intersections is determined by the Local Authority. It is based on the peak hour statistics and the timing is maintained even during an off-peak hour. This one standard green time will be used every time in a day regardless of the number of vehicles and the road width. This approach will have a long green traffic light even though the number of vehicles is only a few and hence, will cause a long waiting time at the intersections. Therefore, the aim of this study is to vary the timing of traffic lights at junctions according to the number of vehicles. This paper will also consider road width variable which have not been considered so far. Fuzzy logic rules will be used to classify the number of vehicles and road width and time taken for vehicles to move at the intersections which was proposed in a previous work. The new timing will commensurate with the number of vehicles and road width. Field test data were gathered from Sala Benda and Semplak intersections which are amongst the busiest intersections in Bogor, Indonesia. Comparisons were made and show that the green light timing obtained is appropriate to the two factors considered. Also the waiting time for vehicles in each traffic cycle was also reduced. This study have formulated an optimal green lights timing in each intersection and will be used by local authorities to determine the timing of green traffic lights at the intersection and hence, can implement traffic control and an appropriate waiting time.