Application of the AI traffic signal control system to traffic carbon reduction: A case study of Xiangyang

Journals

Title：
Application of the AI traffic signal control system to traffic carbon reduction: A case study of Xiangyang
Author：
Heng Ding 1,2 , Jinfeng Gao 1,2,* , Rong Lu 1,2 , Lijuan Su 1 , Guohui Du 1,2 , Lijia Zhang 3,4 , Kun Liu 5 , Chuncheng Liu 3,4 , Shimin Wu 1,2
Author Affiliation：
¹ Hebei Joy Smart Technology Co., Ltd., Shijiazhuang 050011, China
2 Shenzhen Joy Smart Data Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518109, China
3 Hebei Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050011, China
4 Jingjinji National Center of Technology Innovation, Beijing 100094, China
5 Hanjiang Zhixing Technology Co., Ltd., Xiangyang 441000, China
E-mail: * jinfenggao1998@outlook.com
Received：Nov. 25, 2025
Accepted：Dec.5, 2025
Published：Dec. 23, 2025

Abstract

To address the challenges of high carbon emissions in the transportation sector and the pronounced limitations of traditional traffic signal control systems, this study introduces a third-generation traffic control system—the Artificial Intelligence Traffic Signal Control System (AI-TSCS). Taking the Xiangyang National Vehicles-to-Everything (V2X) Pilot Zone Project as a case study, this study investigates its practical value in improving traffic efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. The study uses the emission-factor method to construct carbon accounting models for intersections and road segments, then compares traffic efficiency and carbon emissions before and after the project. Results show that, after the project, acceleration/deceleration time at intersections decreased by 15.9%, stopping time at intersections decreased by 17.6%, and the average speed on road segments increased by 15.2%. The project achieved an annual carbon reduction of 218,886.1 tCO2, with a carbon reduction rate of 8.3%. These findings confirms that the AI-TSCS has significant effects on improving traffic efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, providing a replicable pathway for smart city construction and the achievement of China’s “Dual Carbon” goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.

Keywords

Traffic signal control system (TSCS), artificial intelligence traffic signal control system (AI-TSCS), carbon

emissions, carbon reduction, traffic efficiency, edge computing.

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