Assessment of an Adaptive Traffic Signal System Based on Vehicle-Pedestrian Conflicts at Intersections with High Vehicular and Pedestrian Demand

In urban intersections with high vehicular and pedestrian demand, conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians represent a critical issue affecting both road safety and operational efficiency. This study evaluates three traffic signal control strategies: fixed-time control, adaptive control based on vehicular flow, and adaptive control based on vehicle-pedestrian conflict detection, incorporating safety-oriented criteria into signal timing decisions. The methodology included detailed modeling in PTV VISSIM, control logic implementation in VISVAP, and safety assessment using SSAM, supported by field data collected through RPA and direct observation. Results indicate that the conflict-based adaptive system achieves a 50.9% reduction in total conflicts (from 2204 to 1081), while maintaining acceptable crossing times (7.96 s). Although vehicular flow (1496 veh/access/h) is slightly lower than that of the flow-based adaptive system (1580 veh/access/h), it does not significantly compromise operational efficiency. These findings demonstrate that incorporating conflict detection into traffic signal control improves safety without substantially affecting mobility, supporting its applicability as a balanced and scalable solution for complex urban intersections.