Adaptive Signal Control to Enhance Effective Green Times for Pedestrians: A Case Study

Abstract In this paper, an adaptation of Split, Cycle, and Offset Optimization Technique (SCOOT) is sought in order to manage the pedestrian and vehicular traffic in Kadikoy, Istanbul. In Kadikoy, there has been an immense crowd at the coastline in either peak or off-peak hours because of the marine transit terminal. When the M4 metro line is added to the rail network at the Anatolian side of Istanbul, it has become an intolerable mess for both the vehicular and the pedestrian traffic. In the case area, there is also a tram line conflicting at the intersection to our interest. The problem observed in the case area is two-fold: if the pedestrians seize a chance to cross the street, most of them choose to cross even if the signal phase is red for them; and, there is a possibility for waiting pedestrians that they cannot complete the crossing action because of the limited green time. After the completion of data processing, simulations are done with microsimulation environment, PTV - VISSIM. In order to evaluate the proposed solution, two parameters are chosen, i.e. pedestrian travel time and vehicle delays at the intersections. The comparison between real-time measurements and simulation results illustrates the need for a trade-off between pedestrian travel time and vehicle delay.