Optimization strategy for and structural properties of traffic efficiency under bounded information accessibility

• We introduce a new model which is more sensitive to the reality than previous models.
• We propose two main factors for traffic efficiency, section area and symmetricity.
• We find the optimal point for traffic efficiency, which causes the phase transition.
• We find the optimal structure for traffic under bounded information accessibility.
• We carry out investigation into empirical study for credibility of our numerical simulation.

A vital challenge for many socioeconomic systems is determining the optimum use of limited information. Traffic systems, wherein the range of resources is limited, are a particularly good example of this challenge. Based on bounded information accessibility in terms of, for example, high costs or technical limitations, we develop a new optimization strategy to improve the efficiency of a traffic system with signals and intersections. Numerous studies, including the study by Chowdery and Schadschneider (whose method we denote by ChSch), have attempted to achieve the maximum vehicle speed or the minimum wait time for a given traffic condition. In this paper, we introduce a modified version of ChSch with an independently functioning, decentralized control system. With the new model, we determine the optimization strategy under bounded information accessibility, which proves the existence of an optimal point for phase transitions in the system. The paper also provides insight that can be applied by traffic engineers to create more efficient traffic systems by analyzing the area and symmetry of local sites. We support our results with a statistical analysis using empirical traffic data from Seoul, Korea.