
models often entail complex computations, limiting 
their  real-time  usability  and  accuracy  in  depicting 
detailed traffic dynamics. Simulation-based methods 
strive to accurately model interactions among various 
traffic  characteristics.  Recent  studies  favor 
simulation-based techniques, employing microscopic 
traffic simulators to illustrate complex traffic patterns 
in  cities.  Nevertheless,  scarcity  of  simulation 
resources presents a challenge for addressing large-
scale urban traffic management problems. Advanced 
simulation  models  require  further  development  to 
tackle  high-dimensional  optimization  challenges  in 
large metropolitan networks (Chen & Chang, 2014; 
P. T. M. Nguyen, 2020; Papatzikou & Stathopoulos, 
2015; Poole & Kotsialos, 2016). 
Improvements  in  traffic  signal  management 
systems  have  targeted  multiple  goals,  including 
reducing  queue  lengths,  delays,  travel  time, 
enhancing  traffic  flow,  and  minimizing  traffic 
exhaust  emissions.  Optimizing  traffic  signals  can 
achieve  these  goals  simultaneously,  leading  to 
reduced  travel  times  and  improved  traffic  flow. 
However, optimization for different road users and 
environmental goals may conflict with other priorities 
and  receive  limited  consideration.  Transportation 
management  studies  often  focus  on  single-goal 
issues,  despite  real-world  situations  involving 
multiple objectives (Chen & Chang, 2014; P. T. M. 
Nguyen,  2020;  Papatzikou  &  Stathopoulos,  2015; 
Poole & Kotsialos, 2016). 
2  LITERATURE REVIEW 
Traffic  simulation  models  are  classified  into 
macroscopic,  microscopic,  and  mesoscopic  models 
based on  their level  of detail. Macroscopic models 
represent  traffic  flow  using  aggregate  measures, 
while  microscopic  models  simulate  individual 
vehicles in detail. Mesoscopic models strike a balance 
between detail and efficiency. This study focuses on 
microscopic and mesoscopic simulators like VISSIM 
due  to  their  ability  to  handle  complex  traffic 
scenarios.  Microscopic  simulators  offer  detailed 
modeling capabilities, while mesoscopic simulators 
compromise  between  detail  and  computational 
efficiency.  They  utilize  driver  behavior  models  to 
simulate vehicle interactions based on perception and 
response thresholds. (Qadri et al., 2020). 
Multi-objective optimization problems  (MOOPs) 
are  prevalent  across  scientific  and  engineering 
domains, including product design and model fitting, 
where  multiple  performance  criteria  must  be 
considered. The main goal of MOOPs is to identify 
solutions that balance conflicting objectives, resulting 
in a range of achievable values for each objective. This 
range  of  solutions,  known  as  the  Pareto  front  or 
tradeoff curve, illustrates inherent trade-offs within the 
problem. Real-world MOOPs often include additional 
constraints or rules that solutions must adhere to. In 
multi-objective  simulation-based  optimization, 
objectives  are  typically  derived  from  costly 
simulations,  providing  data  to  evaluate  different 
designs or strategies. By optimizing these objectives, a 
set  of  Pareto-optimal  solutions  is  revealed,  offering 
various trade-offs  between  conflicting  objectives.  In 
essence, MOOPs provide a framework for decision-
making  amid  conflicting  goals,  facilitating  the 
exploration  of  trade-offs  and  the  identification  of 
optimal solutions that align with specific requirements 
and  priorities  (Červeňanská  et  al.,  2020;  Chang  & 
Wild, 2023; P. T. M. Nguyen, 2020). 
There  appears  to  be  a  research  gap  in 
implementing  multi-objective  simulation-based 
optimization  for  the  traffic  signal  control  problem 
(Qadri et al., 2020). Most transportation management 
optimization  studies  and  implementations  focus  on 
issues with a single goal; real-world situations, on the 
other  hand,  frequently  entail  many  goals. 
Optimization  for  other  road  users  such  as  transit 
vehicles  or  pedestrians  or  optimization  for 
environmental  goals  sometimes  clash  with  other 
priorities,  and  as  a  result,  they  are  given  little 
consideration. P. H. Nguyen et al. (2016), Hatri and 
Boumhidi (2016), Zheng et al. (2019), and Zhang et 
al. (2022) have been among the few researchers to 
employ  a  multi-objective  simulation-optimization 
approach. Although this approach is relevant, there 
appears  to  be  a  research  gap  when  it  comes  to 
implementing  multi-objective  Simulation 
Optimization for the traffic signal control problem. 
Nguyen  et  al.  proposed  a  multi-objective 
simulation-optimization  approach  for  urban  traffic 
signal  control.  Their  approach  integrated  a  local 
search algorithm with NSGA-II, outperforming other 
algorithms  and  achieving  good  simulation  results 
during  the  optimization  process.  The  study 
demonstrated  the  effectiveness  of  the  approach  in 
balancing multiple objectives and improving traffic 
flow (P. H. Nguyen et al., 2016). Hatri et al. focused 
on bi-objective optimization of traffic signal timings 
using  the  NSGA-II  algorithm  with  the  Enhanced 
Archive Memory (EAM) technique. The goal was to 
find  optimal  signal  timings  that  strike  a  balance 
between traffic flow and delay. The results indicate 
that the proposed approach effectively manages the 
trade-off between these two objectives and achieves 
improved performance compared to other methods. 
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