Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning for Traffic Signal Control: A Cooperative Approach

The rapid growth of urbanization and the constant demand for mobility have put a great strain on transportation systems in cities. One of the major challenges in these areas is traffic congestion, particularly at signalized intersections. This problem not only leads to longer travel times for commuters, but also results in a significant increase in local and global emissions. The fixed cycle of traffic lights at these intersections is one of the primary reasons for this issue. To address these challenges, applying reinforcement learning to coordinating traffic light controllers has become a highly researched topic in the field of transportation engineering. This paper focuses on the traffic signal control problem, proposing a solution using a multi-agent deep Q-learning algorithm. This study introduces a novel rewarding concept in the multi-agent environment, as the reward schemes have yet to evolve in the following years with the advancement of techniques. The goal of this study is to manage traffic networks in a more efficient manner, taking into account both sustainability and classic measures. The results of this study indicate that the proposed approach can bring about significant improvements in transportation systems. For instance, the proposed approach can reduce fuel consumption by 11% and average travel time by 13%. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of reinforcement learning in improving the coordination of traffic light controllers and reducing the negative impacts of traffic congestion in urban areas. The implementation of this proposed solution could contribute to a more sustainable and efficient transportation system in the future.