An Agent-Based Simulation Model for Optimization of the Signalized Intersection Connected to Freeway On-Ramp

Unlike most existing studies on off-ramp traffic signal control, this paper focuses on the optimization problem of the signalized intersection connected to freeway on-ramps. Conflicts are often observed between the traffic heading to an onramp and the traffic continuing straight which leads to issues such as intersection overflow, increased delay, and concerns about safety. For studying this problem, a realworld signalized intersection in Buffalo, New York was chosen, which has two through lanes and one short shared (through and right-turn) lane. At the downstream of the intersection are two following on-ramps, one to the highway I-290 West and the other to I-290 East. During peak hours, the shared lane often observes a long queue, which furthermore blocks the through traffic on the parallel lane. To solve this problem, a VISSIM agent-based simulation model was built and calibrated based on field observations. Three potential optimization solutions were proposed and tested with the help of VISSIM: (1) increasing the length of the short shared through and right-turn lane; (2) making the short shared through and right-turn lane right-turn only, and (3) adding a new diverge lane for the right-turn vehicles. According to the simulation results, solution (3) performs the best, resulting in the least vehicle delay time.