Real time traffic delay optimization using shadowed type-2 fuzzy rule base

Traffic networks are getting big and complex day by day with a rapid traffic growth. Existing Type-2 (T2) fuzzy logic works well in optimizing the waiting time of traffic at a big junction, but the rule base of T2 fuzzy logic is heavily dependent on previous traffic data, rather than real-time data. Moreover, it fails in changing and updating the waiting time in any junction with a high rate of traffic. In addition, very big junctions contain dynamic traffic data that is characterized by a high level of uncertainty, which is difficult to be handled by type-2 fuzzy logic. To cope with this situation, Shadowed Type-2 (ST2) fuzzy logic is proposed as it works well in the domain having very clumsy and uncertain data. It increases the uncertainty of a fuzzy set by partitioning it into different region. Thus, based on ST2 fuzzy rule base, a ST2 fuzzy waiting time simulator is created, whose output is implemented in a proposed real-time traffic-based Time Optimized Shortest Path (TOSP) model. It helps in structuring the optimized time path from one location to another. This can be done by taking real time traffic data from the upcoming junction, calculating the waiting time using ST2 fuzzy rule base, and finally directing the vehicle to take its optimized path, which results in a reduction in the overall waiting time of each junction. To demonstrate the superiority of the proposed model, a case study of a multi-directional (six directional) junction is presented. Success of this model easies the process of proposing it as a mobile application, which can help in reducing the waiting time in junctions of metropolitan areas.