The usability and effectiveness of traffic management and traffic control systems greatly depend on its ability of reacting upon traffic patterns and permutations. In this research the applicability of autonomous intelligent agents in Urban Traffic Control (UTC) is investigated, and why these Artificial Intelligent strategies are useful in UTC. Designing, implementing, optimising and adjusting UTC systems involves quite some effort and knowledge. A system is proposed that autonomously can adapt itself at changing environments. The UTC model is primarily based on several Intelligent intersection Traffic Signalling Agents (ITSA) and some authority agents. In this way, a UTC system based on agent technology that can adapt and respond to traffic conditions in real-time is obtained - maintaining its integrity and stability within the overall transportation system - in the meantime a system is obtained that is able to make better use of the capacity of intersections. (A*)
Abstract