Queue spillbacks are a major problem in urban signalized arterials because they can lead to gridlock and excessive delays. Several methods based on fixed location detector data have been proposed to identify the occurrence of queue spillbacks and implement signal control strategies to mitigate their impacts. The authors propose the use of Connected Vehicle (CV or probe) data to detect queue spillbacks and respond with alternative signal control settings. The paper presents two queue spillback detection methods. The first one requires only the use of CV data and is based on the notion that non-equipped vehicles in queue after the last CV-equipped vehicle can be modeled using a geometric distribution. The second spillback detection method combines CV data with information about the signal timings at the upstream intersection and is based on kinematic wave theory of traffic. An alternative signal control strategy is activated after a potential queue spillback is detected. The proposed queue spillback detection methods and alternative signal control strategy have been tested through simulation on a four-signal segment of San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley, California. The simulation tests performed identify penetration rate thresholds of CV equipped vehicles for which the proposed methods can accurately detect potential queue spillbacks. In addition, the proposed signal control strategy has been found to improve traffic operations for the upstream cross-streets without compromising traffic operations on either direction of the arterial traffic.
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