Wireless Protocols Comparison to Improve the Performance of Intelligent Traffic Light Junctions

Intelligent traffic light junctions management represents a non-trivial problem to be tackled to improve mobility in big crowded cities. In the last few year, the Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have frequently been implicated in Intelligent Transportation System scenarios, primarily in the dynamic management of signalized intersections. In fact, the information concerning traffic light junctions that the WSNs collect in real-time can be a compelling solution to traffic congestion issues. In this paper, a wireless network architecture is presented with the aim to monitor vehicular traffic flows near to traffic lights. Furthermore, an intelligent algorithm is introduced to manage dynamically the phase sequence and the green times of traffic lights considering the estimated values of traffic flows. Several simulations compare IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee, Bluetooth, and UWB protocols to recognize the proper wireless communication protocol for ITS purposes.