End-to-end traffic management solution – from central management to intelligent intersections
Not two intersections are alike, they have different layouts and challenges, so regulating the traffic lights the same way in all intersections does not make much sense. Ideally, they should be optimized individually, but for practical and economic reasons it must be with technology scalable to all types of intersections.
This is exactly what you can obtain with the IntelliGo traffic light management system!
IN SHORT:
The IntelliGo Traffic Management System has proven its worth, enhancing traffic flow and lowering energy consumption at each intersection as well as improving overall road management. Each intersection can be optimized according to its specific layout and traffic patterns and can be managed from a central office.
There’s no need for manual observation of the intersection to spot traffic issues; both real-time and statistical data are available in this traffic management solution. This way it is easy, fast, and virtually cost-free to change priorities at the intersections. It also provides valuable insights for road infrastructure planning and investments.
The IntelliGo Traffic Management solution consists of two products:
You can monitor multiple intersections as well as orchestrate an optimal flow through multiple intersection with green waves. This way you can optimize traffic flow and reduce stop-and-go thus reducing energy consumption.
The layout of the intersection must be configured for each intersection. After this, the IntelliGo intelligence takes over.
In signal-based intersections it is common to have shorter circles when there is less traffic and longer circles with heavy traffic. There are usually different recommendations for circles during peak-hours and evening/night hours etc. The logic is to minimize the number of intervals between green-times because during the interval no one has green.
As an example the intervals will take 40% of the circle of 40 seconds with two intervals of 8 seconds. If the circle is longer e.g. 120 seconds the interval will only take 13% of the time. At a first glance this principle makes sense, but it has a weakness. The principle only looks at oncoming vehicles from the direction, who already has green, meaning vehicles both waiting and oncoming in the direction with red have no influence on the potential extension of green-time.
IntelliGo’s signal optimisation is based on a principle within artificial intelligence called reinforcement learning, which operates very different from the traditional intersections.
As input to the signal optimization, it uses real-time radar data identifying all vehicles from all directions towards the intersection. The algorithm calculates every second if green should be kept in a specific direction or changed to another direction as the fundamental principle for the algorithm is to minimize the waiting time for all vehicles in all directions. This means that not only oncoming vehicles in the direction with green has an influence on the extension of green-time but also all waiting and oncoming vehicles in the direction with red is taking into account.
Instant, full control of your traffic infrastructure from the TrafficTower.
TWO-WAY DATA EXCHANGE
Data from each intersection are available at the TrafficTower, like each intersection is manageable from the Traffic Tower. The two-way data communication in real-time makes it easy and cost effective to manage and optimize traffic flow. This AI-powered traffic insight eliminates the need for manual data collection and calculations. You can say goodbye to costly and time-consuming reports from external suppliers – TrafficTower empowers you with instant, cost-effective control over your traffic lights, allowing you to make quick adjustments when needed, saving time and money.
The system logs signal data and detector input every
second, creating a precise traffic picture. These data enable traffic counting, stop measurements, and more, across all lanes. You can analyze and adjust traffic flow in real-time, optimizing operations and prioritizing traffic based on the data.
Furthermore, statistical data on vehicle counts, average delay times, and stops per vehicle are stored for a period of your choice. Traffic analysis will enable the ability to continuously monitor and adjust to meet the goal of optimizing traffic flow and fully utilizing capacity.
INSTANT RESPONSE WITH SMART ALARMS
TrafficTower is equipped with a range of intelligent alarms that empower you to respond swiftly to any scenario. Whether it’s a traffic incident, emergency, or unexpected event, TrafficTower keeps you informed and ready to take immediate action.
Fig 1: Intersection in real-time. showing signal groups and prioritization.
Fig 2: Overview over all intersections incl. status overview.
With different filters, you can easily select to get an overview of the alarms, mode and the zones, you have defined.
Fig 3: Easy overview of a zone.
Instant knowledge about mode and issues of each intersection.
Fig 4: Hover the mouse over each intersection for further information.
IntelliFlow serves as the central component of the IntelliGo system, dynamically adjusting traffic signals in real-time to match the current traffic conditions. This adaptive process is driven by a signal algorithm that continuously receives live data inputs from the intersection.
The system delivers real-time insights into traffic flow from all directions, including data on the number of vehicles, their sizes, and speeds.
The algorithm makes rapid calculations every second, determining whether the traffic light should remain green in a specific direction or be switched to another. The fundamental guiding principle of this algorithm is to minimize the waiting time for all vehicles in every direction. Consequently, it considers not only the flow of oncoming vehicles in the direction with the green signal, but also accounts for all waiting and oncoming vehicles in the direction with the red signal.
Furthermore, the algorithm factors in the size of vehicles, differentiating between cars and trucks due to their varying energy consumption. A truck, for instance, requires more energy and generates greater CO2 emissions when it must frequently stop and then accelerate, making it an important consideration in optimizing traffic management.
The basic system has a built-in machine learning-based intelligence, allowing each intersection to develop its own optimized traffic flow, and continuously optimize the management of the intersection’s traffic lights. Of course, with normal traffic rules applied including the
safeguard, that two colliding directions do not both have green-time. Rules relevant to the individual intersection can be easily applied to ‘overrule’ the basic intelligence.
For example, it may be relevant to apply special priorities during rush hours or periods when a side lane experiences higher than usual traffic.
This way, you’ll have a basic, intelligent system that is scalable to fit all intersections. Furthermore, it offers the possibility to add individual rules, such as giving priority to a direction during a specific period of time. Setting up different rules in the system is easily accomplished and doesn’t require any programming skills. There’s no need to rely on external programming resources.
In connection with, for example, a concert or a football match, you may well need to make the streets in the stadium area safe for a crowd of people. For this purpose, you can change the traffic lights to flash mode for an entire zone in just one single operation.
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