Deep Q‐Learning Network Model for Optimizing Transit Bus Priority at Multiphase Traffic Signal Controlled Intersection

Abstract

When multiple bus vehicles send priority requests at a single intersection, the existing fixed‐phase sequence control methods cannot provide priority traffic request services for multiphase bus vehicles. In view of the conflict of multiphase bus priority requests at intersections, the priority vehicle traffic sequence is determined, which is the focus of this study. In this paper, a connected vehicle‐enabled transit signal priority system (CV‐TSPS) has been proposed, which uses vehicle‐infrastructure communication function (V2I) technology to obtain real‐time vehicle movement, road traffic states, and traffic signal light phase information. By developing a deep Q‐learning neural network (DQNN), especially for optimizing traffic signal control strategy, the public transit vehicles will be prioritized to improve their travel efficiency, while the overall delay of road traffic flow will be balanced to ensure the safe and orderly passage of intersections. In order to verify the validity of the model, the SUMO traffic analysis software has been applied to simulate real‐time traffic control, and the experimental results show that compared with the traditional timing signal control, the loss time of vehicles is reduced by nearly 40%, and the cumulative loss time per capita is reduced by nearly 43.5%, and a good control effect is achieved. In the case of medium and low densities, it is better than the solid scheduled traffic control scheme.