Implementation of a distributed control system for dynamic lane assignment

Abstract

This paper reviews the basic signing technologies available to the traffic engineer for dynamically changing lane assignments. An example installation of dynamic lane assignment in Houston, TX is reviewed and referenced as the motivation for developing a simple traffic signal cabinet interface for dynamic lane assignment signs. Various candidate control architectures are summarized and a distributed control model is recommended due to the simple cabinet retrofit and the inherent malfunction management capabilities. The paper concludes by describing the distributed computing design comprising the sign control interface (SCI) residing in the cabinet and the sign control modules (SCM) residing in each sign.