The timing of each phase cycle of a traffic light adapts according to the traffic flow. Sophisticated sensors in actuated traffic lights ensure adaptability.
Smart city solutions for traffic and transport management work with the help of sophisticated sensors. NEC India’s intelligent traffic management system uses sophisticated sensors.
The latest technology in sensors enables them to take corrective action, for this smart traffic and transport management system should have camera sensors and radar sensors along with actuators.
Sensors located on the traffic lights feed data to the actuators. This helps the actuated traffic lights to adapt according to the situation. Not every road or intersection needs the same phase timing. Traditionally, traffic lights used to have timers that controlled each phase cycle.
The complexities of traffic due to the number of vehicles have grown.
Managing traffic is challenging because of the many types of roads where the traffic flow can be fast or slow. Owing to this, arterial, feeder, and residential roads will need different synchronizations. When the traffic lights work in synchronization, the traffic flow will be unhindered.
Traffic engineers will map the traffic flow of each road. Based on traffic flow, they decide how long each phase cycle should last for a given carriageway.
Yellow lights need to last longer on arterial roads where the traffic is fast. This is because on residential roads, the vehicles move slowly, and they have time to react and stop.
Adaptive traffic lights will adjust the timing of the yellow phases when the traffic is slow. Actuated traffic lights receive signals from camera and radar sensors. Edge computing processes the signals and adjusts the timing of the phases. The connectivity of traffic lights also means that they are timed in such a way that there are no traffic jams.
The source referred -https://in.nec.com/en_IN/press/201910/20191015_01.html
Benefits of smart city solutions:
Improved Traffic Flow: Adaptive traffic lights ensure smoother traffic flow by adjusting phase cycles based on real-time traffic conditions, reducing congestion.
Enhanced Safety: Longer yellow phases on high-speed arterial roads give drivers adequate time to react and stop, minimizing the risk of accidents.
Resource Optimization: Smart traffic management systems optimize phase timings, minimizing waiting times and optimizing resource utilization, such as fuel and time.
Customized Synchronization: Different types of roads require tailored synchronization to accommodate varying traffic speeds and volumes, ensuring efficient traffic management.
Proactive Response: Actuated traffic lights equipped with camera and radar sensors enable proactive adjustments to phase timings, ensuring adaptive responses to changing traffic conditions.
FAQs on smart city solutions:
1-How do adaptive traffic lights work?
Adaptive traffic lights adjust phase cycles based on real-time traffic flow data obtained from sophisticated sensors.
2-What role do sensors play in traffic management?
Sensors located on traffic lights gather data on traffic flow, which is then used to adjust the timing of phase cycles for efficient traffic management.
3-Why is synchronization important in traffic management?
Synchronization ensures that traffic lights on different roads work together to facilitate smoother traffic flow and reduce congestion.
4-How do traffic engineers determine phase cycle timings?
Traffic engineers analyze traffic flow data to determine the optimal duration for each phase cycle based on the specific conditions of each road.
5-Why do yellow lights last longer on arterial roads?
Longer yellow phases on arterial roads provide drivers with more time to react and stop safely due to higher traffic speeds.
6-What corrective action can smart traffic management systems take?
Smart traffic management systems equipped with cameras and radar sensors can adjust phase timings, optimize resource utilization, and reduce congestion.
7-How does edge computing contribute to traffic management?
Edge computing processes data from sensors in real time, enabling rapid adjustments to phase timings and enhancing overall traffic management efficiency.
8-What are the benefits of customized synchronization?
Customized synchronization ensures that traffic lights are tailored to the specific traffic conditions of each road, optimizing traffic flow and minimizing delays.
9-How do actuated traffic lights differ from traditional traffic lights?
Actuated traffic lights receive real-time data from sensors and adjust phase timings accordingly, whereas traditional traffic lights operate on fixed timers.
10-How does connectivity between traffic lights prevent traffic jams?
Connected traffic lights are timed to coordinate with each other, allowing for smoother traffic flow and reducing the likelihood of congestion and traffic jams.
