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by Gregg Tabot. The Simulation of Traffic Patterns and Optimizing Traffic Lights. What is traffic?. The movement of motorized vehicles, unmotorized vehicles and pedestrians on roads. What are traffic lights?.
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by Gregg Tabot The Simulation of Traffic Patterns and Optimizing Traffic Lights
What is traffic? The movement of motorized vehicles, unmotorized vehicles and pedestrians on roads. What are traffic lights? A signaling device positioned at a road intersection or pedestrian crossing to indicate when it is safe to drive, ride or walk
My Basic Simulation • Two road intersection • Two laned roads • No turning lanes • Motorized vehicles only (no pedestrians)
Three Methods of Traffic Lights Optimization • Manual Method • Timed Method • Frequency Formula Method
Manual Method • Make sure that the auto_switch? option is Off • Press the East-West Switch button and the traffic lights for the cars moving east or west switch from red to green or vice versa • Similar function with the North-South Switch button
Manual Method • Based solely on user input • If the user presses switch, the lights switch
Manual Method Advantages • Good for situational traffic Disadvantages • Back up the entire system • Human error • It’s manual!
Timed Method • Make sure that the auto-switch? option is On • Make sure that the formula? option is Off • Set the amount of time a switch stays green by adjusting the light_timer slider (measured in units)
Timed Method • Compares the amount of time a light has been green with the light timer option set • If the amount of time a light has been green is greater than or equal to the light timer option the lights switch
Timed Method Advantages • Not manual Disadvantages • Doesn’t account for busier roads • If there’s only one car, it may have to wait a long time
Frequency Formula Method • Make sure that the auto-switch? option is On • Make sure that the formula? option is On • Adjust the max_wait slider (measured in different units)
Frequency Formula Method • Compares flowing traffic frequency multiplied by a timer with the stopped traffic frequency multiplied by the quantity of the timer subtracted from maximum wait time. • If the first quantity is greater than or equal to the second quantity the light switches.
Frequency Formula Method Advantages • Good for situational traffic • Takes into account heavily trafficated roads • Keeps traffic flowing Disadvantages • Could take a while if you were on a less populated road
Bugs/Errors/Fixes for Later • Sometimes the program will display an error randomly before beginning • Cars do not slow to a stop, they just instantaneously stop • There is no wait time in between traffic light switches • Car crashes are not yet implemented