Multi-Objective Optimization of Traffic Signal Timing Using Non-Dominated Sorting Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm for Unsaturated Intersections

Vehicle delay and stops at intersections are considered targets for optimizing signal timing for an isolated intersection to overcome the limitations of the linear combination and single objective optimization method. A multi-objective optimization model of a fixed-time signal control parameter of unsaturated intersections is proposed under the constraint of the saturation level of approach and signal time range. The signal cycle and green time length of each phase were considered decision variables, and a non-dominated sorting artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm was used to solve the multi-objective optimization model. A typical intersection in Lanzhou City was used for the case study. Experimental results showed that a single-objective optimization method degrades other objectives when the optimized objective reaches an optimal value. Moreover, a reasonable balance of vehicle delay and stops must be achieved to flexibly adjust the signal cycle in a reasonable range. The convergence is better in the non-dominated sorting ABC algorithm than in non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II, Webster timing, and weighted combination methods. The proposed algorithm can solve the Pareto front of a multi-objective problem, thereby improving the vehicle delay and stops simultaneously.