Probe-vehicle-based approach for traffic signal performance monitoring: an operator’s perspective

With the emergence of new technologies, automated traffic signal performance measures (ATSPMs) and connected vehicle (CV) data have gained considerable traction among researchers and practitioners for traffic signal performance management. While several studies identified the benefits of ATSPMs and CV data, their main limitation is that they are still not widely available to most agencies and can be costly to acquire through third-party vendors. Additionally, even when available to agencies, especially with large-scale ATSPM deployments, their streamlined use is not in place. The purpose of this study is to introduce probe-vehicle-based traffic signal performance measures (PV-TSPMs) and provide an approach as well as an automated tool for their utilization on a regular basis for proper monitoring and management of traffic signals. The introduced PV-TSPMs are readily available to most agencies and do not require additional infrastructure. Using INRIX XD data in Virginia Department of Transportation’s Salem District along 31 corridors and through a series of case studies, result show that the developed tool can detect changes in system performance over short durations (cycles, hours) and long durations (weeks, months) such as changes in traffic volumes and intersection capacity, which are the primary causes of intersection congestion. The findings from the case studies show that PV-TSPMs can be used as an alternative to ATSPMs and CVs along arterials, especially when the main objective of an agency is prioritizing mainline operations.