The Sydney Co-ordinated Adaptive Traffic System (SCATS) is a computer-based area traffic signal control system. It operates in real time, adjusting signal timings throughout the system in response to measured variations in traffic demand and system capacity. A microscopic computer simulation model called SCATSIM, has been used to demonstrate the benefits of SCATS adaptive traffic control under sudden changes of traffic flow conditions during peak flow periods. Quantitative comparisons of traffic control performance under SCATS and fixed-time traffic control techniques show the flexibility of SCATS adaptive control technique and its benefits over fixed-time control in reducing vehicle stops, vehicle stops, traffic delays and, consequently, fuel consumption, and improving air quality by reducing vehicle emissions. A reduction of more than 20 per cent in both fuel consumption and vehicle emissions (CO and HC) was found for the case study reported here. (A)
Abstract