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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