Intelligent Traffic Signal Using PIC Microcontroller Based on Density

This document discusses the implementation of an intelligent traffic signal system using PIC microcontroller based on density. It explores the benefits of this system in managing traffic flow and handling emergency vehicles. The document also highlights the challenges and research questions related to the sustainability and performance of the system.

Running head: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Methodology
Name of the Student
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Intelligent Traffic Signal Using PIC Microcontroller Based on Density
The intelligent traffic signal is an advanced vehicle traffic control system which uses the
method of traditional traffic light system with some additional sensors with the integration of
artificial intelligence for routing the pedestrian traffic the road vehicle intelligently. Currently
a specific technology has been developed for the smart traffic signal and it is in the testing
phase in Pittsburgh.
According to the author Ghazal et al. (2016), the traffic light control system has a
significant usage for controlling and monitoring the automobile flow in the junction point of
two or more roads. The main aim of this type of system is creating smooth flow of vehicles in
the transportation routes. However the author has identified that this type of system can be
extremely complicated as various of parameters are involved with it (Biswas et al. 2016).
Currently the traditional systems is not capable of handling a large amount of traffic in the
junction points efficiently. Inefficient type of traffic system can cause disparity in the car
flow and can cause accidents also (Ghazal et al. 2016). Another main reason that the
intelligent traffic signal is required in the current situation as in many cases a free passage is
required for the emergency vehicles such as ambulance and police cars. If the passage is not
clear then this emergency vehicles will not be able to pass smoothly (Kanungo, Sharma and
Singla 2014). Thus the authors has proposed a system which is based on PIC microcontroller
which is able to evaluate the density of the traffic by using the IR sensors, thus it can
accomplish dynamic timing slots with different types of levels. Also, for solving the
emergency cases portable controller device has been also designed by the authors which will
help to let pass the emergency vehicles.
The Kavya and Saranya (2015), has elaborated the present issue of traffic congestion
which is really a serious issue. As per the authors one of the main reason behind this traffic

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congestion issue is the inefficient traffic light systems. Thus an optimised traffic light system
is a demand of many highly populated cities in the world. Thus in this paper the authors has
done a research on the traffic light optimization by using the microcontroller (Jin, Ma and
Kosonen 2017). The main aim of the proposed trafficking system is reducing the traffic jam
possibilities which are mainly caused by the traffic lights. The selected microcontroller for
this research is a PIC. This system also consists an IR receiver and an IR transmitter which
will be mounted on either sides of the road (Kavya and Saranya 2015). Thus by proper
analysis of the traffic condition this system can effectively handle a large amount of traffic.
This system takes the traffic data on real time basis and based on the data this intelligent
system takes decision about management of traffic. Also based on the data future analysis can
be also done for a better and a smooth traffic system.
As per the authors Sundar, Hebbar and Golla (2015), the intelligent traffic control
system helps the traffics to pass smoothly in the most extreme conditions also. Here in the
proposed model, each of the vehicle is consisting a special type of radio frequency
identification or the RFID tag. The RFID tag is combined with the PIC16F877A system on a
chip for reading the RFID tags that are attached with the vehicles (Sundar, Hebbar and Golla
2015). The main aim of this RFID tags is counting the number of the vehicles which passes
through a particular path for specific duration of time. Thus by analysing this data this system
can determine the congestion of the network hence, the duration of green light and the red
can be determined efficiently (Al-Sakran 2015). Thus, as per the author this system is not
only capable of managing the traffic efficiently but also this system will be able to locate a
stolen vehicle and with it will also be able to create a clear path for the emergency vehicles
such as ambulance and Police cars (Li, Wen and Yao 2014). This proposed system also uses a
ZigBee module on the PIC16F877A and CC2500 for wireless communication purposes.

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According to the author Kumaar, Kumar and Shyni (2016), an advanced traffic
control system is very much important considering the current situation as the number of
private cars are increasing day by day. Thus in this paper the authors has described about an
intelligent density based traffic light controlling system which is interfaced with the GSM
technology and barrier gate. In this case the author has provided the approach of signal timing
changes which automatically decides the signal delay between the green signal and the red
signal by the help of microcontroller. Thus the duration of the traffic signals effectively
improves (Kumaar, Kumar and Shyni 2016). With an addition the author has also provided a
barrier system. In this case when microcontroller reflects a red signal the interfaced barrier
activated and it blocks the traffic. In the case of green signal the same gate opens and it lets
the traffic to flow smoothly. This mechanism is totally based on the density of the vehicles
and this density is detected through the IR sensor. Thus this PIC microcontroller works by
determining traffic density and based on that it changes its signal timings.
All of the authors has currently discussed about the advantages of intelligent traffic
control system in this context, but there are various of problems regarding this technology
(Milanés et al. 2014). First of all there is a problem in the implementation stage of this smart
traffic control system. In the testing stage, this systems has been only assessed with a limited
number of vehicles and there is no research has been done on the actual scenario (Liu et al.
2018). Thus it is not known how this systems will perform in the actual scenario where this
system needs to handle a large amount vehicles. Also there is no research has been done on
the sustainability of this microcontroller and the used sensors. Thus from the discussion it has
been assessed that main research question are,
 How this intelligent system will be implemented for the practical usage in the big
cities.
 What are the sustainability of the PIC microcontroller and the sensors?

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 Will the sensors be able to collect correct information all the time?

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