Application of IntelliDrive℠ to Address Oversaturated Conditions on Arterials

This research study applied the detailed vehicular data available in an IntelliDrive℠ environment to address signal system inefficiencies that result from spillback during oversaturated conditions. New algorithms were developed to: (1) monitor queues in real-time, using the location and speed data from IntelliDrive℠-equipped vehicles; and then (2) modify the offset and splits at the upstream intersection, also in real-time. In short, the green phase for the affected approach is either delayed or cut short, as dictated by the real-time queue length on the downstream link. Further, additional time available from the affected approach is transferred to the opposite approach. The algorithms were evaluated using VISSIM microscopic traffic simulations on a 2-intersection test network with one-way streets. Results indicate the following significant network performance improvements: 13.4% more throughput, 26.5% less delay and 40.9% fewer stops.