Road traffic congestion solution using discrete-event simulation

Abstract

The increasing number of vehicles in developing areas indirectly become one of the causes for road traffic congestion (RTC) to occur. RTC can also be caused by a temporary obstruction, a permanent capacity bottleneck in the network itself, stochastic fluctuation in demand within a network, leading to spillback and queue propagation. Inefficient management of traffic light control (TLC) to the existing system in term of cycle time contributes to the RTC in a developing town in Malaysia, Changloon, especially during peak hours that lead to environmental pollution and long average waiting time. This situation negatively affects the road users and the people surrounding. A discrete-event simulation (DES) model was developed using ARENA software to represent the real TLC system condition during peak hours. From the simulation model, the TLC which causing the bottleneck was identified. The total of three scenarios were developed with modification on elements such as road structure and cycle time of TLC. All scenarios recorded with improvement for total average waiting time and average number in queue. The findings of this study can be used as a guideline for authorities to improve road traffic at Changloon town during peak hours.