The Use of Petri Nets to Model Traffic Signals at Intersections

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Introduction

This paper focuses on the use of Petri nets to model traffic signals at intersections. An

eight-phase traffic signal controller is illustrated in this paper. Also, structural analysis of

the control Petri net is performed to show that it endorses traffic safety. It also discusses

how this tool can be used with more advanced technologies in the future. The following

paper will review the G.F. List, and M. Cetin, Modeling Traffic Signal Control Using

Petri Nets, IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 5(3), 2004, 177-187

paper and also discuss the possible extension of the paper.

Summary

In this paper, the authors discuss about modeling traffic signal control using Petri nets.

Here, movements are combined to form phases, time intervals during which specific

movements are given greens simultaneously. Designing the signal controller to allow

conflicting movements the right of way also ensures safe and proper operation of the

intersection. This paper mainly focuses on how to implement the signal control logic. A

benefit of using Petri net is that invariant analysis makes it possible to verify that the

control model enforces all the safety rules.

The Petri net model is made from individual sub-models so this makes it easy to

understand and read. It also makes it easy to modify any particular sub-model without

changing the whole Petri net.

Movements and phases at an intersection.

The above table shows the possible phases and possible movements for each phase.

The modularity and functionalities of this Petri net model is an extended version of many

models for traffic control. Behavioral analysis of the Petri net model is another

contributi...

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could reach a violation. Thus, the dynamic behavior of a group of traffic signals can be

modeled using Petri net and this can be converted to an executable code.

Conclusion

This paper reviews the G.F. List, and M. Cetin, Modeling Traffic Signal Control Using

Petri Nets, IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 5(3), 2004, 177-187

paper and also discusses an extension of the paper. The extension of the paper requires

electronic equipment like the sensors and actuated microcontrollers. Electronic

equipment could fail at any time causing road accidents or traffic jams. So they have to

be monitored continuously and be replaced from time to time.

Works Cited

“Responsive Traffic Signals Designed with Petri nets”, Michel dos Santos Soares, Jos

Vrancken, 2008 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics (SMC

2008)

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