Implementation of traffic lights control based on Petri nets

Abstract

Traffic lights are commonly used in the intersection in urban areas nowadays. In fact a network of the traffic lights regulating the urban vehicle can be viewed as a complex discrete-event system (DES). It is proved that Petri nets are one of the methodologies for modeling, analyzing and controlling on DES. A new approach via programmable logic controller (PLC) and Petri net synthesis is proposed in this paper. Firstly, we described the typical urban traffic lights control using Petri nets. Having compared with three methods for Petri nets realization, the best implementation method of the traffic lights control system was one which made with the PLC. The sequential function chart (SFC) of the PLC system is also given in the thesis. The result shown that the method has many advantages at improving flexibility and troubleshoots of system and reducing the difficulty in its realization.