Two-dimensional cellular automaton traffic model with randomly switching traffic lights

Abstract

Cellular automaton traffic models can include various factors in traffic systems and the corresponding computational simulations are rather simple and effective. The Biham-Middleton-Levine model (BML model) facilitates the simulation of two-dimentional traffic flow problems via the cellular automaton models. In this paper, the BML model is improved by removing its limitation of synchronized change of traffic lights. In the new model, the traffic light at each crossing could arbitrarily change its starting time and tempo of variation, and hence the model could more realistically describe the influence of traffic lights on the performance of traffic systems. Some new effects appearing in the new model are also elucidated.