1. The Simulation of Traffic Patterns and Optimizing Traffic Lights
by Gregg Tabot

2. What are 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

3. My Basic Simulation Two road intersection Two laned roads
No turning lanes
Motorized vehicles only (no pedestrians)

4. Three Methods of Traffic Lights Optimization
Manual Method
Timed Method
Frequency Formula Method

5. 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

6. Manual Method

7. Manual Method Based solely on user input
If the user presses switch, the lights switch

8. Manual Method Advantages Good for situational traffic Disadvantages
Back up the entire system
Human error
It’s manual!

9. 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)

10. Timed Method

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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)

14. Frequency Formula Method

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. The End