Effect of Information Provision around Signalized Intersection on Reduction of CO2 Emission from Vehicles

Unnecessary vehicle movements such as rapid acceleration/deceleration and long idling periods occur around signalized intersections, especially in urban areas. It is believed that such unnecessary vehicle movements can be reduced by providing appropriate information. Actual vehicle movements should be understood before providing such information or developing an information provision system. Thus, we observed actual vehicle movements approaching a signalized intersection and then simulated the vehicle movements with a microscopic traffic flow simulation based on the observed vehicle movements. To estimate the quantity of CO2 emitted from vehicles, each vehicle movement was analyzed by the microscopic simulation when the information was provided. The results showed that the information provided can reduce the amount of CO2 emissions. However, it also showed that it is possible that CO2 emissions are increased at higher traffic volumes. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Scientific Committee.