A convex optimisation approach to traffic signal control

We revisit the problem of traffic signal control in urban traffic networks. Recent work in the literature has studied the use of scheduling algorithms from communication networks to traffic signal control with the aim of maximising the network throughput. However, these algorithms are unable to capture some of the network characteristics such as protocol constraints or penalties on the control actions, e.g. the loss time when changing between phases. In this paper, we propose a convex optimisation approach to traffic signal control that decouples the stability of the system from the choice of traffic control policy. As a result, we are able to design a range of traffic signal control policies that maximise the network throughput, and that at the same time, capture the characteristics of urban traffic networks more accurately.

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