A harmony search algorithm approach for optimizing traffic signal timings

Abstract

In this study, a bi-level formulation is presented for solving the Equilibrium Network Design Problem (ENDP). The optimization of the signal timing has been carried out at the upper-level using the Harmony Search Algorithm (HSA), whilst the traffic assignment has been carried out through the Path Flow Estimator (PFE) at the lower level. The results of HSA have been first compared with those obtained using the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and the Hill Climbing on a two-junction network for a fixed set of link flows. Secondly, HSA with PFE has been applied to the medium-sized network to show the applicability of the proposed algorithm in solving ENDP. Additionally, in order to test the sensitivity of perceived travel time error, we have used HSA with PFE with various level of perceived travel time. The results showed that the proposed method is quite simple and efficient in solving ENDP.