University of Tripoli/ Engineering Faculty

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department.

Seminar for MS.c Thesis

Thesis Title:

Intelligent Traffic Control System using PLC and SCADA

Prepared by: Mona Abubkr Shlibek

Under Supervisor: Dr. Moftah Albakosh

Spring 2016
 ABSTRACT
One of the main problems in large cities is traffic congestion;
intersections are the most common configuration where roads that
cross each other. Present traffic signals fail to control the traffic
effectively when a particular lane has got more traffic than the other
lanes. In literature there are different modern techniques which can
base on intelligent techniques such as Programmable Logic
Controllers (PLC), Fuzzy Logic System (FLS), neural network..etc.
In this thesis an intelligent traffic control system using Programmable
Logic Controller (PLC) technology and supervisor control data
acquisition (SCADA) is proposed . It is also difficult for a traffic police
to monitor the whole scenario round the clock. So, this system can be
implemented on highways and city traffic.
Traffic congestion
 INTRODUCTION
In the conventional traffic control system it may be observed that
the time of Green light glowing for a particular road will be always constant.
Sometimes it may happen that, one particular road may be crowded more
than any other. In such cases the conventional traffic control system will fail
to give priority to the heavy traffic roads.

Traffic light Model

Therefore, we need to seek an intelligent traffic control system
based on the change in traffic flow, and it can automatically adjust
the length of time of the traffic lights to minimize crossroads
vehicles. In order to effectively improve the junction capacity, relying
on the Intelligent Auto Adjustment system, its able to direct traffic
control system in an orderly, alleviate traffic congestion, reduce
vehicle stranded, achieve optimal control, and improve good control
effect with PLC control.
As shown in figure below explains the Block diagram for
components of an intelligent traffic light system.

Controller
Unit

Traffic Light
System

components of an intelligent traffic light system

In this method, intend to measure the traffic density by counting
the number of vehicles in each lane this data are required to make
a decision if current conditions are sufficient or they have to be
improved .

Sensors within Intelligent Traffic Control are used to detect

presence of vehicles in a lane and calculate the density by
counters to decide which lane is to be serviced first . Or by More
modern technology using Image processing technique by
Camera installed in the road to measure the traffic density.
By employing mathematical functions in software to calculate the
appropriate timing for the green signal to illuminate, in this way,
the system can help to solve the problem of traffic congestion.
 Overview of the PLC
` The PLC is an industrial computer. It is capable of storing

instructions to implement control functions such as sequencing,

timing, counting, arithmetic, data manipulation and communication.

The I/O interfaces provide the connection between the PLC and the

information providers (inputs like pushbuttons, sensors) and the

controllable devices (outputs like valves, relays, lamps).

The many advantages of using PLC to control the traffic lights
such as: lower operation cost, ease of programming or
(reprogramming), low failure rate, and finally the ability to
optimize the timing for heavy traffic conditions.

PLC controller on certain junction

SCADA
SCADA (Supervisory Control and DATA Acquisition) is a system that collects
data from various sensors at a factory, road,plant, or in other remote
locations and sends this data to a central computer that then manages and
controls the data.

SCADA refers to the centralized systems that control and monitor the entire
sites, or it refers to complex systems spread out over large scale areas. In
both cases nearly all controls actions are automatic performed by RTUs or
by the programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Data acquisition starts at the
PLC or RTU level, which includes the lanes status reports, and meter
readings. Data is then formatted in such way that the operator of the control
room can make the supervisory decisions to adjust normal PLC (RTU)
controls, by using HMI.
 Remote Terminal Unit (RTU):
This is a communication device within the SCADA system and is
located at the remote substation.
The RTU gathers data of local traffic.

Master Terminal Unit (MTU):

-MTU initiates communication with remote units
and interfaces with the DAS and the HMI.

Data Acquisition System (DAS):

Gathers information from the MTU and store data until HMI request .

Human Machine Interface (HMI): Interface where the operator logs

on to monitor the variables of the system. Gathers information from the
DAS Sends commands to the MTU and wait for response
 Problem Statements
Because traffic light in Libya is still traditional (old technique); then some
problems show up:
(a) Traffic light causes the heavy traffic jams
Increasing the number of vehicles in the road causes the heavy traffic jams. This
happens usually at the main junctions commonly at the morning, before office hours
and at the evening, after the office hours. The main effect of this matter is increasing
time wasting of the people at the road.(with too much time being wasted), road traffic
congestion due to:
1- Limited scope for Transportation infrastructure.
2- Increasing in population density causes excessive number of vehicles .
3-Bad behavior from mentality some people.
4- Road works.
5- Weather conditions.
(b) No traffic, but the road user still need to wait
The traffic light contributes to more of wasting time of people at
road. At junction, sometimes there is no traffic. But because the traffic light
still red, the road users should wait until the light turn to green, also,
Emergency car stuck in traffic jam such as ambulance, fire brigade. because
traffic light depend on fixed time period for every sign.
Aims of the thesis
The aim of this project is to design a software program for
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) according to information will be
provided by the sensors & SCADA that could solve the problems, by two
steps :

Scheme of traffic optimization process using data collected from road detectors.

1. Collecting the information of the busy tracks by sensors or

Cameras
2. Taking a decision according to the information to change the
priorities time.
Intelligent Traffic system using PLC & SCADA
Control room
 Expected Results and contribution of the thesis

1. To Optimize control of fluctuating traffic volumes

2. To Improve the vehicular throughput (rate of successful
vehicles pass over a lane in seconds).
3. To Maximis the traffic flow.
4. To Control the time intervals of the traffic light.
5. To Decrease delays of vehicles and environmental effects.
6. To Reduce the number of accidents.
 References

SMART STREET LIGHTING SYSTEM BASED ON SENSORS USING

PLC AND SCADA by Swathi C A1, Hemanth Kumar S1, Annappa A R2.

Automation Development of Traffic Light Control via PLC based

Simatic Manager by Carlo Y. Makdisie .

Application of Intelligent Traffic Control Based on PLC

by FeiZhong, Jutao Wang, Xudong Cheng.

Adaptive Intelligent Traffic Control System

using PLC by S .V. Viraktamath, Priyamvada Holkar, Priyanka V. Narayankar,
Jayashri Pujari

Design of Smart Traffic Light Controller Using Embedded

System by Vishakha S.Thakare, Snehal R.Jadhav, Sananaj G.Sayyed, Poonam
V. Pawar4
THANKS