Control of vehicular traffic in a simulated environment using fuzzy inference algorithms implemented in PLC

Abstract

In this article, the combination of software tools such as TIA Portal, PLC, LabVIEW, OPC Server, and MATLAB was used to address the challenge of vehicular traffic control in a simulated environment. Therefore, the objective was to develop a fuzzy inference algorithm implemented in a programmable logic controller, with the support of a Matlab software Simulink library, to control vehicular traffic at the intersection of two main avenues in the Santiago de Surco district, in Lima, Peru. To do this, the LabVIEW programming environment was used, which allowed the creation of a graphical interface capable of simulating vehicular traffic, as close to real conditions as possible. This simulator was based on observable data collected from the field that allowed the generation of various traffic scenarios. In addition, the MATLAB Fuzzy Logic toolbox was used to implement the fuzzy inference algorithm, based on the observed conditions. Then, a PLC and TIA Portal software were used to supervise and simulate control of the traffic lights and traffic sensors. Likewise, communication between LabVIEW, MATLAB and the PLC was achieved using the OPC Server, which allowed the transfer of data and commands between these platforms efficiently. In this way, this proposal was tested in a virtual laboratory environment, obtaining significant results in terms of traffic fluidity, and a reduction in congestion times at the analyzed intersection.