Real-time traffic signal control using RFID and IQRF in distributed urban measurement systems
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Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstańców Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszów
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Jakub Drzał
Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstańców Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszów
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ABSTRACT
The growing complexity of urban traffic networks demands adaptive control systems capable of responding to rapidly changing road conditions. In this work, a real-time traffic signal control system is proposed and implemented. The system integrates radio frequency identification (RFID) and IQRF wireless mesh technology as part of a distributed urban measurement platform. The system leverages passive RFID transponders embedded in the road infrastructure to detect and classify vehicles approaching intersections, transmitting event data to a supervisory controller. This controller dynamically adjusts signal phases according to current traffic demand, improving flow efficiency and reducing waiting times. Special attention was given to communication reliability and transponder read accuracy. The strategic placement of infrastructure transponders ensured unambiguous vehicle and direction detection. IQRF communication modules enable reliable low-power coordination between traffic signal units. The timing was referenced to the central microcomputer’s system clock, and the integrity of the data was verified by synchronising RFID read events, signal activations, and vehicle motion logs. The approach was validated in a smart city mock-up that replicates real-world traffic scenarios using eight model vehicles with RFID readers on board that circulate along predefined routes. Comparative tests of the static algorithm and the dynamic algorithm based on RFID technology showed a significant improvement in average travel time and intersection capacity in favour of the dynamic algorithm.