Dynamic Straight–Right Lane Signal Timing Optimization to Decrease Pedestrian–Vehicle Conflict

The intersection, as the place where different traffic participants intersect, is most prone to traffic conflicts. Conflicts between right-turning vehicles and pedestrians are more common at intersection inlets under the traditional straight–right lane (TSRL). In order to reduce the time and frequency of conflicts between right-turning vehicles and pedestrians, this study proposes a presignal timing optimization scheme based on the dynamic straight–right lane (DSRL). The optimization scheme is able to satisfy two different intersection demands, traffic safety or traffic efficiency. First, this paper proposes the DSRL strategy to reduce conflicts and improve traffic efficiency. Second, the conflict characteristics of pedestrians and right-turning vehicles are analyzed, and the conflict intensity is quantified. Finally, the signal timing of the DSRL is optimized to reduce the timing of the intensity of traffic conflicts. The test platform based on the real intersection environment is built to verify the application effect of the optimization strategy proposed in this paper. The experimental results show that the total vehicle congestion time was reduced by more than 16.96%, while the pedestrian–vehicle conflict time decreased by more than 40 s. This experimental result can show that the traffic efficiency and safety of pedestrians and vehicles under the optimized design are improved.