Heuristic algorithm based traffic lights optimization and simulation

In this study, a benchmark was determined as a road network problem and the optimization of traffic signal times was studied in order to reduce the travel times of vehicles in the traffic network. By integrating Differential Evolution Heuristic approach with a simulation program in which the traffic road connection can be modeled, a traffic network model using smart traffic lights has been made. By using the formed model, the traffic signal times in the determined road network were optimized and an effort was made to obtain a minimum travel time for the vehicles. Differential Evolution algorithm was run with two different methods. The travel times obtained as a result of the optimization processes and the travel times of the fixed/standard traffic lights were compared.The simulation environment modeled with the developed smart traffic network allows the optimization processes to be analyzed visually. For the traffic network studied, the vehicle travel times were compared according to the predetermined road start-end points. The road network formed by the two methods used and ones before the study was compared also visually at a moment. As a result of the study, it has been seen that the traffic signal times obtained with the heuristic approach gives better results than the standard time traffic signals. It has been observed that traffic travel times can be reduced using heuristic approaches. Keywords: SUMO, Allsop and Charlesworths Road Network, Differential Evolution Algorithm, Road Network Simulation, Traffic Lights, Heuristic Approach