The Impact of Pedestrian Activities in Adaptive Traffic Signal Control System Operations

This research has explored how the presence of pedestrians can influence Adaptive signal Control Technology (ASCT) system performance. The research focused on an example case: the SURTRAC (Scalable Urban Traffic Control) system, an ASCT system developed by Carnegie Mellon University, which is currently operating a 9-intersection grid road network in the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. \ud The Trafficware program Synchro was used to simulate the operations of the system under four scenarios by inputting traffic volume collected and timing plans utilized in real-time by SURTRAC. Adaptive traffic control selected timings and operations with pedestrian actuations were compared to conditions without pedestrian actuation. Also the performance of the conventional time-of-day timing plans, prior to installation of SURTRAC, with and without pedestrian intervals was compared. \ud The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of pedestrian calls on ASCT systems and to provide potential guidelines for the appropriate level of pedestrian activity that can be accommodated during the planning phase of ASCT project development. It could also be used as a tool to determine how pedestrian activity may impact system performance. The research results will help traffic and system developers to develop better optimization methods for ASCT systems to consider pedestrian delays.\u