Explainable Deep-Reinforcement Learning Framework for Autonomous Traffic Signal Control Integrating V2X Data and Smart Infrastructure

Abstract

The integration of autonomous systems in traffic management has become increasingly important as urban populations and vehicle numbers continue to rise, leading to significant congestion. Traditional traffic signal control systems, which rely on fixed timing, are no longer sufficient to handle the dynamic and complex nature of urban traffic. To address these challenges, the proposed explainable Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) framework aims to optimize traffic signal control by dynamically adjusting traffic signals based on real-time data. This approach enhances traffic flow efficiency, reduces congestion, and improves overall system performance. The framework leverages Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication, which enables real-time data exchange between vehicles, infrastructure, and other road users, extending the perception range of autonomous vehicles and providing valuable insights for traffic signal optimization. Additionally, the integration of smart infrastructure, such as smart intersections, plays a crucial role in enabling adaptive traffic management and facilitating better coordination across multiple intersections. One of the key advantages of the proposed system is its transparency, achieved through the implementation of explainable AI (XAI) techniques. These mechanisms provide clear insights into the decision-making processes, ensuring that traffic management authorities and system users can understand the rationale behind the system’s decisions. Although challenges such as data accuracy, scalability, and cybersecurity risks remain, the proposed DRL framework shows great promise in revolutionizing traffic management systems. Future research directions include enhancing data collection methods, improving the scalability of the system for larger cities, and further developing explainability features to improve trust and adoption in real-world applications.