Intelligent Traffic Management with Wireless Sensor
Networks
1
Juhi R Srivastava
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, School of Engineering,
Bangalore Campus, Bangalore, India
1
s_juhi@blr.amrita.edu
Abstract—Vehicular travel is gaining importance everywhere,
particularly in large urban areas. The current technologies that
support vehicular travel like wired sensors, inductive loops,
surveillance camera etc., are expensive and also require high
maintenance cost. Further the accuracy of these devices also
depends on environment conditions. The typical traditional
approaches attempt to optimize traffic lights control for a
particular density and configuration of traffic. However, the
major disadvantage of using these techniques is that the dynamic
behavior of traffic densities and configurations change is difficult
to model constantly. Traffic seems to be an adaptation problem
rather than an optimization problem. This paper therefore tries
to address the above issue, and hence we propose algorithms
which perform adaptive traffic light control using a wireless
sensor network setup. The paper aims at analyzing methods to
build an intelligent system that can blend and support some of the
existing technologies of traffic control and therefore reduce the
average waiting time of vehicles on a junction. The proposed
algorithms are adaptive to traffic flow at any intersection point of
roads. Simulations of the real-life traffic scenarios are conducted
in a simulated platform called Green Light District Simulator
(GLD) to generate graph average waiting time versus cycles. The
results generated show that the proposed method is effective for
the traffic control in a real road intersection.
Keywords—Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), Average Waiting
Time (AWT)
I. INTRODUCTION
Rise in traffic congestion, are affecting many individuals in
time, energy and patience on roads. Even after improving the
existing road infrastructure, in some situations an average
waiting time for a vehicle can become indefinite on a junction.
The present technologies that support vehicular travel like
wired sensors, inductive loops, surveillance camera etc.,
observe a vehicle in a fixed position, are expensive and require
high maintenance cost. Further the accuracy of these devices
depends on environment conditions and the traffic light control
system requires schemes that can adapt to changing traffic
flows and densities constantly.
In such real-time scenarios and critical applications, Wireless
Sensor Networks comes as the answer. WSNs have proved that
they are best suited to meet issues of traffic as they are highly
flexible, robust and work well for application domains which
need low power, low cost and low maintenance. An important
feature of the proposed WSN-based method is that it can
978-1-4799-0792-2/13/$31.00 ©2013 IEEE
2
Dr. T. S. B. Sudarshan
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, School of Engineering,
Bangalore Campus, Bangalore, India
2
sudarshan.tsb@gmail.com
monitor the vehicles dynamically. Our proposed work tries to
leverage these features of a WSN and hence, we develop
algorithms that are intelligent and adaptive for traffic light
control. Our proposed system works with some current
technologies like variable sign boards of traffic control and
proves to reduce the average waiting time at a junction and
make traffic regulation adaptive. The proposed system also
optimizes the traffic flow by utilizing the free roads. The
developed algorithms: “Maximum Intersection Utilization” and
“Empty lane with Green Light” are tested in a java based
simulated platform called Green Light District Simulator
(GLD) [7]. This work is based on the paper proposed by M.
Tubaishat, et al [15].
II. RELATED WORK
The demand for wireless sensor networks is and will be ever
increasing. The offered device and user mobility, the low cost
offerings, the minimum time for connection even under harsh
conditions and terrain where any physical media is difficult to
install are few of the reasons for migration to WSNs today.
In [1], M. Darbari, et al, discusses the application of Petrinet
with concept of Multi Agent System as the workflow tool to
model urban traffic system. The orthogonal approach in state
space dimensions demonstrates the compositional method for
modeling and performance evaluation of complex traffic
situations.
T. Prakash, et al [2] in their work on vehicles traffic
management has reflected congestion on the road as delays
while traveling. The authors propose a path selection
algorithm based on "stochastic turn" and path planning that
ensures best path suggestion to vehicles in terms of reduction
in trip time and less fuel consumption during whole trip.
In [3], authors use Unified Modeling Language (UML) to
model an Adaptive Road Traffic Control System. They
provide a technique for controlling the traffic in highway
network using signals that are automatically controlled by
detectors whilst coordinating all the signals, as per the changes
in traffic flow.
In [4], traffic congestion is revisited and to solve the problem,
the author proposes a framework for a dynamic and automatic
traffic light control expert system combined with a simulation
model. The model adopts inter arrival time and inter departure
time of cars on roads. The results show a sharp drop in the
average waiting time of vehicles.
In [5], W. Wen presents an intelligent traffic management
expert system with RFID technology. Based on RFID tags, the
system collects and calculates average speed and average flow
information on each road and hence a dynamic navigation
system is set to find the shortest path that avoids congested
roads.
In [6], a distributed artificial intelligence and multi-agent
systems have been proposed based on game theory to allow
coordination and cooperation. The system provides support for
the traffic manager to decide on traffic control policies.
Results show different performances of the decentralized
coordination process in different scenarios, allowing the task
of the manager to facilitate the scenario and act accordingly.
In [7], the aid of predictive software is highlighted, together
with the shortcomings of a simulation strategy that does not
take into account traffic dynamics.
In [8], “HITS” a traffic control system is proposed to predict
the traffic scenarios for optimal route selection by drivers with
the data collected at different hours of the day time (analyzing
historical traffic conditions).
In [9], the authors focus on sensor networks built on top of
VANET and suggest an integrated architecture for traffic
monitoring, management and control.
In [10], WSN based solution as an alternative for
unsophisticated vehicles, is proposed to avoid frontal
collisions in rural highways. The work targets vehicles that
cannot take advantage of the current intelligent transportation
systems and services.
In [11], a new proactive self-organizing protocol called CSP
(Cluster-based Self-organizing Protocol) is proposed. The
protocol uses the geographic clustering and the virtual
backbone to structure intelligently the vehicular network to
address the problems of high mobility, potentially large scale,
and network partitioning.
M. Wiering, et al, [12] presents an adaptive optimization
algorithm based on reinforcement learning. They have
implemented a traffic light simulator, Green Light District,
which allows to experiment with different infrastructures and
to compare different traffic light controllers.
In [13], S. Yiu, et al, discuss the current traffic surveillance
system with inductive loop detectors and video cameras and
propose an alternative traffic monitoring system using wireless
sensor networks that offers high accuracy and lower cost
compared. Their prototype called Traffic-Dot achieves vehicle
detection accuracy of 99% and accurately measures speed
with a node pair.
C. Wenjie, et al, [14], introduce a new vehicle detection
method using the WSN technology. The authors develop a
new signal control algorithm to control the state of the signal
light in a road intersection.
Our paper is based on the works of M. Tubaishat, et al, [15],
where they have dealt with a decentralized traffic light control
using WSN. Results show that the average junction waiting
time is reduced and the traffic lights were set to the setting that
let most cars to pass but this may not be the best setting even
for one junction as junctions do not communicate and road
users might not be able to proceed because the decision about
the lane at the next traffic light is different. Most cars relieve
the most clogged up lanes, but do not take into account how
full lanes are in comparison with others.
With all the studies presented above it has been identified that
traffic seems to be an adaptation problem. With WSN as our
framework, we devise algorithms and compare them with the
case study of India, Bangalore city traffic regulation policies.
The results obtained show considerably reduced average
waiting time of all the vehicles at the intersection.
III. PAPER PROPOSAL
We propose two intelligent algorithms based on our study and
field work, which are capable of reducing the average waiting
time of all the vehicles at the intersection when compared to
the orthodox round robin policy prevailing at present. These
algorithms namely are Maximum Intersection Utilization and
Empty lane with green Light.
A. Average Waiting Time
The average waiting time is the average number of cycles
(time in seconds) a vehicle has to wait at the intersection
during one round trip of traffic flow. Through this feature of
GLD we intend to generate a graph of average waiting time
vs. number of cycles spend for the above algorithms and draw
a comparison against the conventional traffic policies.
To achieve the above objectives, three performance
requirements are considered: 1) The average waiting time of a
vehicle at a junction should be minimized while keeping the
policy fair. 2) The number of vehicles at a junction should be
minimized when a road has green light but there are no
vehicles, then the vehicles on other junctions should be
minimized or allowed to move by following a fair traffic
policy. 3) There should not be any delay between the TLC
(Traffic Light Controller) and traffic light. When the TLC
gives instructions i.e., the light (red, green) then it should be
displayed without any delay.
B. System Model
In this section, the system framework [15], is discussed. The
sensor nodes used for vehicular detection is a magnetometer
sensor which detects distortions of the earth‟s field caused by
a large ferrous object like a vehicle. It runs Tiny OS, an
operating system for sensor networks. To receive one sample,
the magnetometer is active for 0.9 msec and the energy spent
for taking one sample is 0.9J. The magnetometer is turned off
between samples for energy conservation.
The communication protocol adopted is PEDAMACS [15].
The road intersection configuration consists [15] of 3 or 4
roads. Each road consists of 3 lanes. Each lane represents a
direction in which the vehicle should turn. Centre lane goes
„STRAIGHT‟, Left lane turns „LEFT‟, and right lane turns
„RIGHT‟. The traffic signal consists of only 2 states i.e.,
GREEN & RED. Each intersection consists of one ICA
(Intersection Control Agent) which is programmed to take
care of the traffic at that intersection. Sensor nodes are placed
at each lane of each road at a fair distance from the
intersection to measure vehicle count and communicate
wirelessly with the ICA (sending details like lane number and
vehicle count).
Fig.1 represents the overall design structure of the proposed
work paper that is Intelligent Traffic Light Control using
Wireless Sensor Networks. This represents the process for
Intelligent Traffic Light Control. It shows the occurrence of
various events and deployment of the entire system.
Fig. 1. Design Overview of Intelligent Traffic Light Control using Wireless
Sensor Networks
Fig. 2. Data Flow diagram of Intelligent Traffic Light Control using Wireless
Sensor Networks
C. Proposed Algorithms
Based on the field work and the study conducted on the
prevailing systems of traffic, we propose two algorithms that
has been integrated into the GLD simulator and are compared
with the current orthodox round robin policy
1. Maximum Intersection Utilization
2. Empty lane with Green Light
It was important for the Orthodox policy be coded along with
the other two intelligent algorithms so that a fair comparison
could be brought about between the various algorithms for the
same density of vehicles and traffic environment. These
algorithms are as follows:
1) Orthodox Traffic Policy
Step 1: Identify the roads on the intersection in a sequence numbered from 0
to 3 clockwise.
Step 2: Start by initializing all the roads to a red state.
Step 3: Allot a green state to all the lanes of the particular road to green state.
Step 4: Maintain the green state for a particular time (say 20 cycles)
Step 5: Shift the turn to the next road and repeat steps 3 & 4 for the same.
Step 6: Continue operation till a pause or stop command is issued by the user.
2) Maximum Intersection Utilization
Step 1: Identify the roads on the intersection in a sequence numbered from 0
to 3 clockwise.
Step 2: Start by initializing all the roads to a red state.
Step 3: Assume any 1 of the roads to be the start, the cycle continues after 4 th
stage.
Step 4: In every stage 2 roads (opposite to each other) are regulated.
Step 5: Vehicles on every lane wait for 3 cycles for their turn (as in the normal
traffic flow) whereas the ones taking a left turn wait for 2 cycles each.
Step 6: If collision is not the concern of algorithm, free left can be provided
for all the stages.
Step 7: Algorithm follows a round robin schedule giving equal time slots to
each road.
Step 8: Continue operation till a pause or stop command is issued by the user.
Fig. 3. Maxiumum Intersection Utilization Configuration diagram
3) Empty lane with Green Light
Step 1: Identify the roads on the intersection in a sequence numbered from 0
to 3 clockwise.
Step 2: Start by initializing all the roads to a red state.
Step 3: Round robin scheduling again with equal time slots of 20 seconds.
Step 4: When there is no vehicle on 1 road (say road E) and
that road is given a GREEN signal.
Assign RED to all the lanes of that road (E)
Compare traffic on each of the other roads (N,W & S) and assign GREEN for
road with MAX traffic for biased time (5 seconds)
Check if vehicles have arrived on road E after step b
If vehicles present, assign GREEN to road E else assign GREEN to the road
with next MAX vehicle count for 5 seconds.
Step 5: Repeat steps (a) through (d) till time slot (20 seconds – variable sign
messages can be used for lane users) expires for that particular road.
Step 6: Shift the turn to the next road and repeat steps 3 & 4 for the same.
Step 7: Continue operation till a pause or stop command is issued by the user.

Fig. 4. Empty Lane with Green Light Configuration
IV. SIMULATION AND RESULTS
TABLE 1: RESULTS OF GLD SIMULATIONS
Time
Algorithms
(Cycles) (Cycles)
4000
Orthodox Policy
8000
Maximum Intersection Utilization 4000
(proposed) 8000
Empty Lane with Green Light 4000
(proposed) 8000
The proposed algorithms lower the AWT than the
conventional algorithm. The comparative study of the
conventional algorithm vs the intelligent algorithm is shown in
Fig. 5. There is a drastic dip in the average waiting time graph
when we switch on our proposed intelligent traffic policy from
the conventional policy. The AWT of the orthodox policy is
26.7 cycles of wait whereas the run of the intelligent policies
we obtain a much lesser waiting time of 22.6 and 6.5 for the
two proposed algorithms respectively.
Fig. 5. Comparison of average waiting times of the three traffic policies
V. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK
The presented work is an attempt towards reducing the
AWT of vehicles at a junction and makes the junction
adaptive as per the current density of traffic at the junction. In
this paper, algorithms for reducing the AWT at a junction have
been defined and tested on Green Light District Simulator
(GLD). We conclude that our system is far more adaptive and
effective with respect to the conventional policy. The
simulation results that we obtain are ready to be implemented
in a real-time WSN framework. We believe that this work may
also prove to be saving on fuel. Further, the Intelligent Traffic
System along with other technologies like RFID, GPRS and
GPS can be a potential solution for traffic control.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to acknowledge the support extended by Mr.
B.G Jyotiprakash Mirji (Bangalore Traffic Police
Commissioner), Mr. Kulkarni, Mr. Sudhir. Mr. Zubin, Mr.
Saikiran and Mr. Ramakanth for their contribution.
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