Automated intersection delay estimation using the input-output principle and turning movement data

Vehicle delay is one of the most important performance measures of effectiveness (PMOE) in intersection traffic operations. It allows traffic engineers to evaluate the performance of a traffic system component or the effectiveness of the system-wide control strategy. It is often utilized for real-time applications such as adaptive signal control, congestion management, and dynamic traffic assignment. However, obtaining intersection performance data in real time such as intersection control delay can be very time consuming and labor intensive. This paper develops and tests a reliable method called the Automated Vehicle Delay Estimation Technique (AVDET), which automatically estimates delay at a signalized intersection using detector data and signal timing information from the existing traffic signal controller. Results from the delay estimation algorithm were compared with those from simulation, followed by statistical tests under varying traffic operation conditions. The findings showed that AVDET was able to provide effective results under different traffic and signal control scenarios. Future work of field implementation for the proposed algorithms is recommended to investigate the model reliability and effectiveness in real-time traffic conditions.