Programming Challenge $(65$ points$)$

$(10$ points$)$ Basic Four$-$way lights with left no left$-$hand turn.

$(15$ points$)$ Current state display, next state display, and a state countdown timer with a one$-$second resolution

$(20$ points$)$ Left$-$hand protected turn $($Request and cleared upon processing$)$

$(10$ points$)$ Crosswalk State added $($Request and cleared upon processing$)$

$(10$ points$)$ Emergency vehicle priority $($Request and User Reset$/$clear$)$

Bonus Challenges $(25$ points$)$

$(15$ points$)$ Variable timing dependent on traffic load

$(10$ points$)$ Have only one Red all way state

Code Documentation $(40$ points$)$

Tentatively Due NLT$11/22/2422$:$00$

$($Alpha $4-$way Traffic Lights Group$)$

$$

$$

Objective: Imagine you$$re the mastermind behind a bustling city intersection, where the flow of traffic is as smooth as a well$-$choreographed dance. Your mission? To design a cutting$-$edge traffic control system that not only keeps vehicles moving efficiently but also ensures the safety of pedestrians and gives priority to emergency vehicles. This isn$$t just any intersection$$it$$s a smart, adaptive, and responsive one, ready to tackle the challenges of modern urban life.

$$

In this project, you$$ll harness the power of Finite State Machines $($FSM$)$ to create a dynamic traffic light system. Picture this: cars gliding through green lights, pedestrians crossing safely at all$-$way crosswalks, and emergency vehicles zooming through with ease. And the best part? The system adjusts its timing based on real$-$time traffic conditions, making sure everything runs like clockwork, even during rush hour.

$$

Get ready to dive into the world of smart traffic management, where you$$ll blend engineering principles with innovative technology to create a safer, more efficient intersection. It$$s time to put on your traffic engineer hat and make a real impact on urban mobility!

$$

The objective of this project is to design and implement a comprehensive traffic control system for a $4-$way intersection using LabVIEW. The system will feature:

Protected Left$-$Hand Turns: Protected left$-$hand turns are traffic signal phases that provide an exclusive period for vehicles to make left turns without conflicting with oncoming traffic or pedestrians. This is achieved by using a dedicated left$-$turn signal, typically a green arrow, which allows vehicles to turn left while all other conflicting movements are stopped. This method enhances safety and efficiency at intersections.

Method: See timing diagrams below. Assume turns are activated by request.

All$-$Way Crosswalk: An all$-$way crosswalk, also known as a pedestrian scramble or Barnes Dance, is a type of pedestrian crossing system where all vehicular traffic is stopped, allowing pedestrians to cross in every direction, including diagonally, at the same time. This system enhances pedestrian safety and convenience, especially in busy urban intersections.

Method: The duration of a typical all$-$way crosswalk, also known as a pedestrian scramble, can vary based on several factors, including the size of the intersection, pedestrian volume, and local traffic regulations. However, here are some general guidelines:

a$)$ Total Crosswalk Phase: The total duration for an all$-$way crosswalk phase typically ranges from $20$ to $30$ seconds. This duration includes the WALK time, and the flashing DON$$T WALK time, allowing pedestrians to cross safely in all directions, including diagonally.

For an intersection with a crossing distance of $40$ feet and an average walking speed of $3\mathrm{.}5$ feet per second, the required WALK time can be calculated as follows:

Rounding up for safety, the WALK time would be set to $12$ seconds. Adding the flashing DON$$T WALK time, the total all$-$way crosswalk phase might be around $20$ to $30$ seconds.

$$

$3.$ Emergency Vehicle Access: Emergency vehicle access is a critical aspect of traffic control systems, ensuring that fire trucks, ambulances, and police vehicles can navigate through traffic quickly and safely.

Method: Emergency Vehicle Preemption $($EVP$)$ Systems

EVP systems detect the presence of an emergency vehicle and preempt the normal traffic signal operation to provide a green light for the emergency vehicle$$s path. This minimizes delays and ensures rapid response times.

$4.$ Variable Timing Based on Traffic Density: Adjust signal timings dynamically based on real$-$time traffic density data to optimize traffic flow. We will utilize the Simplified Actuated Traffic Control method.

Method: Actuated traffic control systems adjust signal timings based on real$-$time traffic conditions detected by sensors$.$ These systems can be either semi$-$actuated or fully actuated. Semi$-$actuated systems have detectors on minor roads, while fully actuated systems have detectors on all approaches. The goal is to optimize traffic flow and reduce delays by dynamically adjusting the green times based on vehicle presence and traffic demand.

include completed file