Optimizing a fuzzy logic traffic signal controller via the differential evolution algorithm under different traffic scenarios

This study aims at optimizing fuzzy logic controller (FLC) triangle membership functions (MFs) for different traffic volumes via differential evolution (DE). To achieve this goal, a new FLC with a red time limiter, which actually calculates green time and the extension time of traffic movement phase, is developed to control an intersection. Subsequently, this FLC is optimized with two levels, namely Level-1 and Level-2. Level-1 searches each fuzzy class's minimum and maximum values ( and ) that generate the lowest average delay per vehicle with DE. Using DE Level-2 inherits Level-1 ranges and reshapes the MFs to explore lower delay values computed by Level-1. The proposed method is tested with nine different traffic scenarios. For each scenario, 15 different headways are applied for a four-leg isolated intersection. The results indicate that the intersection average performance is increased up to 52%, 48%, and 14% at 800, 1600, and 2400 veh/h total intersection volumes, respectively, after Level-1 optimizations. They also reveal that intersection control produces higher delay values in only four scenarios after Level-2 procedures. Consequently, it is shown that the DE has significant potential to optimize FLCs at the intersection signal control. In addition, tuning fuzzy class ranges is found to be more critical than the MF reshaping process in traffic control via FLCs.