RL Report
RL Report
1. Abstract Pg. 3
2. Introduction Pg. 4
3. Methodology Pg. 5
5. Output Pg.7
6. Conclusion Pg.10
Introduction
Traffic congestion has become a pervasive issue in urban areas worldwide, with adverse
effects on travel times, fuel consumption, air quality, and overall quality of life. As cities
continue to grow, the need for efficient traffic management solutions becomes increasingly
pressing. Traditional traffic signal control systems, typically based on fixed-time schedules,
often fail to adapt to fluctuating traffic patterns and evolving urban environments.
Consequently, there is a growing interest in leveraging advanced technologies, such as
artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, to develop adaptive traffic signal control
systems capable of dynamically adjusting signal timings in response to real-time traffic
conditions.
Abstract
This project aims to address the challenges of traffic congestion through the development of
an intelligent traffic signal control system using Deep Q-Learning, a type of reinforcement
learning. Reinforcement learning is a branch of machine learning concerned with training
agents to make sequential decisions in uncertain environments. Deep Q-Learning combines
reinforcement learning with deep neural networks to handle complex state-action spaces
effectively. By training an agent to learn optimal traffic signal control policies, we seek to
improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance overall traffic efficiency. The project
includes the development of a simulation environment, implementation of a Deep Q-Learning
agent, and creation of a graphical user interface for interaction and visualization.
Methodology
Environment Setup
The simulation environment represents a typical traffic intersection, comprising multiple
lanes and traffic movements. Each state of the environment corresponds to a specific traffic
signal phase configuration, such as red, green for North-South, and green for East-West. The
environment simulates vehicle arrivals, departures, and interactions at the intersection,
providing feedback to the agent based on traffic conditions and signal timings.
Agent Implementation
The Deep Q-Learning agent interacts with the environment by selecting actions (switching
signal phases) based on the current state. The agent learns to make decisions that maximize
long-term rewards, such as minimizing waiting times and vehicle delays. It uses a deep neural
network to approximate the Q-values, which represent the expected cumulative rewards for
taking specific actions in different states.
Training Process
The agent undergoes training to learn optimal traffic signal control policies through repeated
interactions with the environment. During training, the agent explores the state-action space,
selecting actions using an exploration-exploitation strategy, and receives rewards based on
the consequences of its actions. By applying the Bellman equation and gradient descent
optimization, the agent updates its Q-values iteratively to improve its policy over time.