Signal timing optimization to minimize fuel consumption

Abstract

Traffic congestion has been caused by sudden increase in the number of vehicles during the 20th century and disbalance of traffic system supply and demand. Consequently, congestion contributes to the increase in delays, fuel consumption, pollution and noise emissions. It is necessary to consider transport supply changes. In general there is no space for street capacity increase because urban areas are formed, so there is a need for use of traffic signals. Traditional signal timing optimization methods only consider delay minimization. However, fuel consumption minimization has to be considered because of bad air quality in urban areas. Signal timing optimization to minimize fuel consumption is proposed and results are showed in this paper. Results show that fuel consumption is reduced for about 2% in peak hour, and about 5% in off-peak hour for proposed signal timing optimization than for Webster's method.