COLOMBO Deliverable 2.2: Policy Definition and dynamic Policy Selection Algorithms

In chapter 2, a literature research points out a lot of differences regarding to light signals between Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Normally the street user can handle the different light signals in a safe way, but when planning light signals certain differences could be recognised. In this chapter, a common and unambiguous glossary is defined, highlighting the concepts that will be used in the rest of the document. In chapter 3, a general overview of signal control methods and a classification after Fixed Time (time dependent) Signal Control, Actuated (traffic dependent) Signal Control and Adaptive Signal Control is presented. In chapter 4, time-dependent, fixed time signal control methods are presented, and a thorough explanation of the prerequisites for designing this kind of control methods is shown In chapter 5, the coordination of arterials and networks is properly explained. While this is a special case of time-dependent control, it deserved a full chapter because coordination is very important when controlling arterial streets, mostly in urban areas. In chapter 6, traffic dependent signal control methods are presented, with a peculiar emphasis on fully traffic dependent, actuated signal control. Chapter 7 introduces adaptive signal control systems, providing also some historical background on their development and adoption in Europe. The different approaches and results of several methods used all over the world are presented. Chapter 8 presents the traffic control method designed for the COLOMBO project, how it is split into a macroscopic level adaptive control system and into several microscopic level policies. Preliminary results on the usage of these policies compared to other policies already implemented into the simulation environment are reported.