Comparing and Contrasting NEMA-based Virtual Phase-Link control with Max Pressure Control in Arterial Signal Systems

In this work, we compared two adaptive control systems: (1) a National Electrical Manufacturing Association (NEMA) based virtual phase-link macroscopic model and (2) a Max Pressure controller based model. The control variables of these models are the green splits. We contrasted the performance of these two models in controlling traffic signal systems in an experimental Vissim framework, and compared them with two other control strategies. It was found that the virtual phaselink method outperformed two control strategies and performed close, by not as good as, the Max Pressure control strategy. We found that the disadvantage of the virtual phase-link method stemmed from that fact that the cycle time was not fully used for some of the intersections. It was also found that the platoon created by the cyclic control schemes might slow down to allow vehicles to switch lanes. Compared to the Max Pressure control strategy, the virtual phase-link method can be implemented by any traffic controller that follows the NEMA standards. The real-time requirement of the virtual phase-link method is not as strict as the Max Pressure control strategy.