Peer-to-peer priority signal control strategy in a connected vehicle environment

This paper presents a methodology that enhances the priority signal control model in the multi-modal intelligent traffic signal system (MMITSS). To overcome the range limit of vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) and the intersection geometry message (MAP) distance limits, peer-to-peer intersection communications are utilized to send priority requests from adjacent intersections. Through integrated communication, the peer priority control strategy can create a signal plan for prioritized vehicles that considers longer term (headway) arrival times. Transit vehicles are considered in this study. The longer-term signal plan provides a flexible signal schedule that allows local phase actuation. The peer priority strategy is effective in reducing the number of stops and delay for priority eligible vehicles, while minimizing the negative impact on regular vehicles. To validate the strategy, a simulation experiment was designed to compare fully actuated control, coordination, and MMITSS priority control using two different VISSIM simulation networks (Arizona and Utah). The result shows that the peer-to-peer long term planning strategy can improve transit service reliability while limiting the adverse impact on other traffic.