Exploiting Platooning Dynamics to Improve Urban Intersection Throughput
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Urban congestion within Smart Cities remains a critical challenge, with controlled intersections acting as primary bottlenecks for vehicular flow. This paper presents a coordinated vehicular platooning model designed to enhance the temporal efficiency of intersection traversal. Adopting a predecessor-leader following approach, the system utilizes real-time data exchange—specifically acceleration, velocity, and position—to synchronize maneuvers and mitigate string instability. This dual-source communication bypasses cumulative sensing delays, allowing followers to respond immediately to lead vehicle states.Performance was rigorously evaluated via SUMO and Plexe simulations across various scales, from single intersections to complex Manhattan-style maps. The results show that the effectiveness of platooning is highly dependent on traffic density and intersection geometry. While performance gains are negligible at low volumes, the system yields substantial increases in throughput and significant reductions in waiting times during high-intensity periods. Specifically, lane specialization in three-lane configurations was found to reduce platoon fragmentation, thereby optimizing flow. Despite the recursive complexities of interconnected urban networks, the proposed model shows robust scalability and potential for large-scale application in mitigating urban congestion.
Institution: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Language: English
Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7204484416