Valuation-Aware Traffic Control: The Notion and the Issues

Abstract

Current intersection-control systems lack one important feature: They are unaware of the different valuations of reduced waiting time of the drivers. Drivers with high valuations may be willing to pay to be prioritized at intersections. In this chapter, the authors describe an agent-based valuation-aware intelligent traffic-control system for road intersections which increases the overall driver satisfaction. It combines valuation-aware intersection-control mechanisms with sophisticated driver-assistance features, subsequently referred to as adaptive cruise and crossing control (A3C). Driver-assistance agents and intersection agents negotiate so-called time slots to cross the intersection. The driver-assistance agent adapts the speed of the vehicle in line with the time slot obtained. Various obstacles are in the way of realizing such a system and making it operational. The authors discuss these challenges and present ideas for solutions. They examine the intersection-control and the driver-assistance perspective of the intelligent traffic-control system. After a brief evaluation, they finally describe application scenarios where agent-based valuation-aware intersection control may become operational in the near future.