Markert, Daniel (TU Chemnitz), Masrur, Alejandro (Technische Universität Chemnitz)

A Flexible Synchronous Traffic Protocol for Future Intelligent Intersections

Scheduled for presentation during the Regular Session "Autonomous vehicles - intersection management" (FrAT8), Friday, September 27, 2024, 11:10−11:30, Salon 16

2024 IEEE 27th International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSC), September 24- 27, 2024, Edmonton, Canada

This information is tentative and subject to change. Compiled on October 7, 2024

Abstract

Intelligent intersections aim to replace conventional traffic lights with traffic protocols that dynamically schedule connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) in all directions, as opposed to greatly static traffic lights that are currently in use. Traffic protocols can be synchronous or asynchronous in nature, with synchronous traffic protocols enforcing rigid crossing patterns, achieving higher throughput in the end. However, this is not that straightforward, if vehicles arrive in an arbitrary order, i.e., synchronous traffic protocols require some reordering. This is oftentimes not possible due to infrastructural limitations---special overtake lanes are required, leading to performance loss. In this case, asynchronous approaches are more suitable, since they do not rely on any specific vehicle arrival patterns. With the aim of combining the best from both approaches, i.e., high throughput and flexibility, we propose a flexible synchronous traffic protocol which forms dynamic crossing patterns as vehicles arrive. The proposed protocol does not require any specific arrival order or arrangement by vehicles. This allows for substantial flexibility---otherwise characteristic of asynchronous approaches, while retaining the benefits of synchronicity as illustrated by realistic simulations.