A Cooperative Optimization Model for Variable Approach Lanes at Signaled Intersections Based on Real-Time Flow

To resolve the congestion caused by imbalanced traffic at intersections, this paper establishes a model of the average delay deviation with the minimization of the average delay in the approach as the optimization objective. Then, the signal control scheme is further optimized based on the variable approach lanes setting. First, we investigate the threshold conditions for setting the VALs under different flows in a single approach direction. The results show that when the ratio of left-turn traffic exceeds the threshold range of 0.20~0.28, the function of the VALs needs to be changed from straight to left-turn. Then, based on the improved Webster’s formula, an optimal timing method that aims at minimizing the average vehicle delay, minimizing the queue length, and maximizing the capacity, is proposed. Finally, taking the actual Huangke intersection in the Hefei demonstration area as an example, three schemes are compared and analyzed in the case of a VAL at the intersection. The results show that under the cooperative optimization scheme proposed in this paper, the travel time and the efficiency of the intersection could be reduced by 18.7% and 9.9%, respectively, when compared with the original and Webster’s schemes.