Floating Vehicle Data to Evaluate Traffic Signal Control Strategies
The challenge
To eliminate data unreliability and all safety risks and costs associated with resource intensive traditional manual surveys, 4way explored the use of Floating Vehicle Data (FVD) to analyse and evaluate junction performance impacts of both SCOOT and MOVA traffic signal control strategies to determine which provides optimum junction efficiency.
What we did
4way designed and implemented 22 bespoke FVD monitoring routes across M27 J7 and further afield. For all routes, data was collected simultaneously and continuously over 2 weeks, with the junction operating under SCOOT (week one), and MOVA (week two), enabling a direct comparison of FVD outcomes. Data was compiled and processed in-house. Of specific interest were peak times; when junction performance is most compromised, and when an optimised traffic signal control strategy might afford the greatest benefit.
Our results
By identifying the most beneficial control strategies we achieved the following key outcomes (weekday peak-times):
- Average journey time reduced by 12% (18.7 s)
- Journey time reliability improved by 26% (std. dev. reduced 28.7 s)
- Average queue length reduced by 30% (27 m)
- The proportion of time without an identified queue increased from 46% to 58%
- Carbon emissions from idling vehicles reduced by 23% (saving 1,435 kg)
The data also revealed that traffic signal control strategies were unvalidated for weekends. 4way subsequently acted upon this opportunity to validate the weekend control strategy. This exercise demonstrated substantial traffic performance benefits – a quick and simple change of high value.
Project scope
- Floating vehicle data
- System optimisation
- Innovation
- Data analysis
- Critically evaluate solutions
- Multidisciplinary technical research
- Traffic signal control strategy validation
To learn more about this project please contact Jason Loader, or Ian Pengelly or Chris Ellison at info@4wayconsulting.com