The rapid evolution of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication opens doors to various control algorithms, one particular domain being intersection control. Several researchers have proposed communication-based intersection control algorithms omitting traditional traffic lights with the promise of enhanced throughput and improved traffic safety. On the other hand, the majority of these algorithms ignore the uncertainties and delays of communication and overlook new cyberattack vectors that are opened by connected traffic.

Our laboratory’s most recent research conducted a comprehensive analysis of five distinct autonomous intersection control algorithms. The purpose was to identify variations in their performance under different traffic conditions and the influence of external factors on the quality of vehicular communication. Employing the advanced V2X simulation environment powered by OMNeT++, SUMO, Veins, and INET, the study demonstrated that these control algorithms exhibit varying behaviors depending on the number of communicating vehicles or the level of noise in the communication. Interestingly, the research also revealed that certain intersection control methods can actually improve as communication quality degrades up to a certain threshold. This implies that the system can identify algorithms in need of further optimization.

The study implemented the following algorithms in the same simulation environment:

• First Come First Served (FCFS)
• Cooperative Awareness Messages (CAM) based algorithm
• Virtual traffic light
• A Monte Carlo Tree Search based algorithm
• A grid reservation based algorithm

The study encompassed an examination of each algorithm under two distinct traffic densities, both in the absence of additional communication noise and with two varying levels of added noise. During this analysis, significant traffic and communication-related parameters such as average vehicle speed, lane occupancy, and packet drop rates were meticulously recorded. The outcomes demonstrated that both centralized and decentralized approaches to intersection control solutions relying on vehicular communication were influenced by the detailed simulation of communication layers. This underscores the importance of comprehensive testing for each new control algorithm, considering the myriad potential communication-related factors, even though newer algorithms may hold promise.

The diverse control solutions also exhibited unsafe behavior attributable to the absence of information in scenarios characterized by substantial packet losses and delays. Algorithms inherently prone to uncertainties were even more susceptible to these issues, given that the communication layer could introduce additional errors into the system.

In summary, the study emphasized the significance of conducting thorough simulations of V2X communication. It underscored the importance of not overlooking communication factors since algorithm performance can fluctuate depending on the prevailing communication quality and various other variables.

If you want to know more, read our publication below.