A life-cycle benefit/cost analysis framework for adaptive traffic control systems

An adaptive traffic-control system (ATCS) is an advanced traffic-signal control system that updates traffic signal timing in an automated way to stabilise and smooth traffic. It is important to examine updated cost and benefits data for the entire life cycle of ATCSs to develop benefit/cost analysis frameworks. The application of a high-level benefit/cost analysis framework is presented in this paper. The framework was first tested on ramp metering systems in a previous study by the authors and its application in ATCSs produced promising results. The framework is composed of four main components: life-cycle cost analysis, benefits achieved through travel time savings, benefits achieved through reductions in energy consumption and benefits achieved through reductions in the number of accidents. A theoretical case study was used to demonstrate the application of the framework. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the effects of higher traffic demand on the benefits achieved. The results showed that ATCSs can be feasible in relieving congestion at junctions. It is anticipated that the proposed framework can improve the higher-level decision-making procedures of transportation agencies concerning the deployment of ATCSs.